PENSIONERS were among the first people to receive the coronavirus jab at Essex’s first mass vaccination centre.

The centre, which is based in Runwell, opened for the first time this morning and will help to ramp up the vaccination programme in the East of England.

The first person to get the jab at the centre was Rayleigh resident, Angela Kulkarni, who is hopeful she will finally be able to leave her home in the near future.

The 80-year-old added: “I’m very excited. I’ve been at home since March so am hoping the vaccine will help me get out and about again soon.”

87-year-old Raymond Arthur, from Southend, was also among the first people to be vaccinated at the new centre.

He said: “I'm pleased I've had the jab, I didn’t feel a thing!”

Husband and wife Tony and Molly Perry, both 87 and from Hadleigh, have also been given a jab this morning.

They added: “We won’t have to worry so much and it will give us more freedom.”

It is hoped the centre in Runwell will alleivate the pressure on hospitals and GP hubs across Essex already administering the vaccine.

More mass vacination centres are expected to go live across the county in the next few weeks.

READ MORE: Everything you need to know about the mass vaccination centre opening in Runwell