LONG queues are forming outside Darlington's mass Covid vaccination centre as the rush to get jabbed continues.

Following Boris Johnson's recent announcement that everyone should get vaccinated to better protect themselves from the Omicron variant, people have been flocking to walk-in centres across the region to get the their jabs and boosters.

Read more: Here's where you can get a Covid booster jab in the region with no appointment

At Darlington's Mowden Arena, people with appointments are being prioritised but there is capacity for walk-ins dependent on vaccine supply.

This afternoon scores of people have joined the queue snaking alongside the arena as new arrivals are told by marshals to prepare for 'quite a long wait'.

Some have been told to expect to wait around an hour to get their jab.

One person in the queue said: "There are dozens of people waiting, nobody seems angry about it but quite a few people are on their phones telling family or their work that they are going to be late and to expect long waits.

"There are plenty of folk wrapped up in winter coats and hats to keep warm.

"Some people are also being sent to queue inside the Arena as they wait for jabs to become available.

The Northern Echo:

"They've got electric heaters on so were clearly expecting some queue."

The walk-in clinics start at the Arena at 8.30am but will close when there is only enough left for appointments based on their next supply delivery.

Covid jabs are also being given in Darlington at the Cockerton Pharmacy by appointment.

A vaccination centre at the Old BT exchange in Barnard Street closed on Friday after giving out more than 22,000 Covid jabs.

Read more: Ambulance crews spend up to 60 HOURS A DAY travelling back to base for breaks

Darlington Primary Care Network, which is made up of the town’s 11 GP practices, ran the centre for eight weeks.

Dr Amanda Riley, clinical director for the PCN, said the closure would enable GPs to keep surgeries open for more patients - and if it were to continue vaccinating it would mean having to cancel all but emergency appointments. 

Anybody wanting to book a Covid vaccine should do so via the NHS website but there is currently a warning stating the service is currently facing 'extremely high demand' and is now operating a queueing system.

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