Pilton dairy farmer and founder of the Glastonbury Festival, Michael Eavis, aged 85, received his Covid-19 vaccination today (New Year's Eve) and is looking forward to a better 2021 for everyone.

Michael said: "It is amazing to be in one of the first groups of people to have the Covid-19 vaccine in Somerset.

"It is great that everyone across the country will be offered the vaccine in due course. It is really important that everyone takes the opportunity to have the free vaccine when it is offered to them – it is our only real chance of protecting ourselves and our friends and family from this disease.

"As far as the festival is concerned, wouldn't it be wonderful to get the majority of our population vaccinated before June 2021, so that we can celebrate next summer in proper Glastonbury style?

"The staff in the vaccination centre have been brilliant – really friendly. They've answered all my questions and it's been very well organised.

"I'd like to say a big thank to everyone involved, including all the wonderful volunteers."

Michael received his Covid-19 vaccination at the GP-led community vaccination site at the Shape Mendip District Council offices in Shepton Mallet.

GP-led sites have been developed by primary care networks (groups of local GP practices) who have been working closely together to develop detailed plans to deliver Covid-19 vaccinations in community locations. Additional ways to access the Covid-19 vaccine will be available over the coming weeks.

Dr Amelia Randle, GP at Park Medical Practice in Shepton Mallet and vaccination lead for the Central Mendip primary care network, said: "We are delighted to be starting the vaccination programme for our most vulnerable patients.

"It has been a huge amount of work, in a short space of time, but we have seen fantastic team work from all our colleagues from neighbouring GP practices and, together, we have been able to set up the next local vaccination services.

"It has been a very emotional time, not only for the first patients to be invited to the clinic, but for all the health and care teams involved in the planning of these events.

"We know that lots of people are eager to find out when they may be vaccinated, or have questions about the vaccination programme, but, please don't contact your local GP surgery – we will contact you when the time is right and we will be able to answer all of your questions when you come for your appointment."

Leader of Mendip District Council, Cllr Ros Wyke, said: "The staff at Mendip, working with our partners in health, have been outstanding.

"They have reconfigured our council offices - located in the heart of the community - and helped to roll out this vital vaccine programme to our residents, so we can all look forward with hope, to a happier and healthier 2021."

Roll out of the vaccination programme so far

On December 6, Yeovil District Hospital was announced as one of the first 50 hospital hubs to receive supplies of vaccine and vaccinations at the hospital began in the week beginning December 7.

At the start of the week beginning December 14, vaccinations began at four GP-led sites developed by primary care networks.

The first four GP-led sites where patients received vaccinations were at Taunton Vale Healthcare, Taunton; The Mulberry Centre, Berrow; West Mendip Community Hospital, Glastonbury; and The Gateway Centre in Yeovil.

Towards the end of the week beginning December 14, vaccinations also began at three further GP-led sites - at Frome Medical Centre, Minehead Community Hospital and the Henhayes Community Centre, in Crewkerne.

Vaccinations began at two further GP-led sites – at the Mendip District Council offices and North Petherton Rugby Club in the week beginning December 28.

These sites have worked through the complicated logistics required to deliver the vaccine safely in a suitable environment.

Vaccinations in care homes in Somerset began in the week beginning December 28.