BLACK Country MP Mike Wood has called on everyone to have the Covid-19 vaccine as soon as they are offered it after seeing the progress being made in Dudley South.

The Member of Parliament visited the vaccination centre that has been set up at Kingswinford Community Centre – one of seven operating in the Dudley borough – to see the work that has been done and to thank the doctors, nurses, pharmacists, staff and volunteers who have already vaccinated thousands of local patients in priority groups.

During the visit – which the MP's office said was timed to take place while the on-site team were taking a short break from their important work – Mr Wood spoke with Dr Simon Hughes, a GP and clinical director for the vaccination service in Kingswinford, and other members of the on-site team.

Dr Hughes explained the process which patients go through when they are called for their vaccine at the site which is delivering hundreds of vaccines per day.

Dudley News: Mike Wood MP at the Covid vaccine site in KingswinfordMike Wood MP at the Covid vaccine site in Kingswinford

And following the visit, the Conservative MP said: “I really cannot offer enough thanks to Simon and the vaccination team here at Kingswinford Community Centre who are offering one of, if not the, most significant examples of community service that I think I have witnessed in my five years as the Member of Parliament for Dudley South.

“Like the rest of the country, and most of the world, people in Dudley South have had their lives put on hold for nearly 12 months because of Covid-19. We know the roll out of the vaccine is the turning point that will allow us to soon get our lives back on track.

“To see the professional yet friendly and simple way in which the team here are delivering this lifesaving miracle is about as heartening as it gets – and again, I want to offer the team here at Kingswinford, and all the other teams across the borough, the biggest thank you for what they are doing.”

Dudley News: Mike Wood MP at the Covid vaccine site in KingswinfordMike Wood MP at the Covid vaccine site in Kingswinford

Dr Simon Hughes said: “I would like to thank all of the staff and volunteers who have made this happen, it’s a real team effort and one which I and our patients are very grateful for. We are working through our lists, starting with those over 80 and health and care workers."

He asked people to remain patient until they are contacted to go and have their vaccine and he urged everyone to "say yes to the Covid-19 vaccine".