‘This is going to make such a difference’: Horsham GP reacts as first patients receive coronavirus vaccine

Dr David Holwell, senior partner at Park Surgery, said the jab offered the opportunity to make ‘such a difference to everyone in Horsham’.

He added: “This is what’s going to get us back to where we all need to be. We need to do it well, we need to do it safely.

“It’s a good vaccine it’s effective, it’s safe.”

Margaret Walker, 80, was the first person to receive the jab in Horsham. She said: “I’m quite relieved. It’s very good, [I’m] very pleased.”

John Elsden, 89, who was also vaccinated, added: “You hardly feel it.”

Dr Samir Khan, clinical director for the primary care network, said he was ‘a bit nervous’ ahead of giving the first jab.

He added: “It’s just like the flu jab. But all that special preparation for it adds to the occasion.