NHS nurses and social care staff receive first Covid vaccinations at Elland Road stadium

The Whites opened up the Centenary Pavilion as a mass vaccination centre this week - but only to specific groups of people.

NHS social care and health workers were among the first groups of people to be invited for their Covid-19 vaccination.

At the moment, the vaccines are by appointment only and it is not currently open to the general public.

A Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust spokeswoman said: "We are delighted to announce that frontline health and social care staff from across Leeds are now able to have their COVID-19 vaccination at Leeds Vaccination Centre - Elland Road.

"The centre will open to the public soon and more info will be made widely available. In the meantime, please do not turn up unless you are a member of staff with a booked appointment.

"Frontline health and social care staff will have received an email from their employer explaining how to book their appointment.

"Thank you to everyone involved in delivering this fantastic service at both Elland Road and Thackray Medical Museum."

Workers who received their vaccination at Elland Road praised the staff for their organisation.

One social media user said: "I attended Elland Road vaccination centre today and it was very well run and super organised. Massive well done to everyone involved", while another added: "Had my first vaccine this morning at Elland Road.

"What an amazing set up, super organised and very well ran! Easy to book my appointments too. Thank you LTHT and everyone involved."

Another person said: "I have been to Elland Road today, it was busy but well organised. Well done to all involved."

Elland is one of four major centres in West Yorkshire, along with Jacob’s Well in Bradford; The John Smith’s Stadium in Huddersfield and Spectrum Community Healthcare CIC in Wakefield.

Leeds United chief executive Angus Kinnear said: "We are proud to have been able to support the national vaccine effort by donating our Centenary Pavilion as a vaccination centre for Leeds, along with a cohort of volunteer Leeds United staff to assist with stewarding," he said in his programme notes for Saturday's game against Brighton.

"The centre should be able to deliver 9,000 doses per day, meaning we are playing our part in helping our city return to normality as quickly as possible."