Hertfordshire's mass vaccination centre was filled with emotion as hundreds of patients received their Covid-19 jab, hopeful that it will bring them a step closer to seeing friends and family safely again.

Patients were said to be "emotional" and "quite teary" as they received their vaccinations yesterday in Stevenage, where a 93-year-old woman told others waiting to receive a jab: "Don’t be scared".

Robertson House in Stevenage was on of seven Covid vaccine 'superhubs' to open across England on Monday, capable of delivering thousands of vaccines a week to people who live within 45 minutes of Stevenage.

Heather Gallagher, from Hitchin, received an invitation from the NHS to book a slot of a vaccine in Stevenage, and she said receiving her vaccine was "no problem at all".

Ms Gallagher, 93 and a former nurse with more than 30 years of experience, was brought to the centre by neighbour Mark Parry, 52, who has been supporting her throughout the pandemic, such as buying a weekly shop.

Hillingdon Times: Heather Gallagher, 93, receives an injection of a Covid-19 vaccine at the NHS vaccine centre that has been set up at Robertson House in Stevenage. Credit: PAHeather Gallagher, 93, receives an injection of a Covid-19 vaccine at the NHS vaccine centre that has been set up at Robertson House in Stevenage. Credit: PA

Mr Parry said he had noticed the impact isolation has had on his neighbour over the past year.

Commenting on what the vaccine meant for Ms Gallagher’s future, he said: "She’s seen none of her friends for a year."

He added: "This will really, really help. She’ll be able to go back to church again. She’ll be able to get her independence back, doing some shopping and basically start to see her friends, and I think that’s the most important thing mentally-wise for her, and I can’t wait for it to happen."

Hillingdon Times: Margaret Austin, 87, on her first time out of the house in six months, receives an injection of a Covid-19 vaccine. Credit: PAMargaret Austin, 87, on her first time out of the house in six months, receives an injection of a Covid-19 vaccine. Credit: PA

Describing the first morning of operations, Caroline Shepherd, clinical expert for immunisations at Hertfordshire Community NHS Trust (HCT), which is running the vaccination centre in Stevenage, said: "It’s full of excitement. It’s very busy, everybody’s happy to be here.

"It’s the NHS at its best, pulling people together, patients and public."

Asked about the response from patients, she said: "They’ve been quite emotional actually, really pleased that there is some hope at the end of this tunnel, this very long tunnel for everybody.

"A few people got quite teary, saying 'I’m really pleased to be here, thank you so much, we’re really grateful for the NHS'. It’s been really positive."

Hillingdon Times: A waiting area at the NHS vaccination centre in Stevenage. Credit: PAA waiting area at the NHS vaccination centre in Stevenage. Credit: PA

Earlier in the day, Sarah Browne, director of nursing and quality at HCT, said there had been an "amazing" response from people offered a coronavirus vaccine.

She said: "We’ve been absolutely amazed, the booking system went live on Saturday morning and by 11 o’clock our slots were virtually fully booked.

"So it’s amazing how many people got that letter on Saturday and have already booked in. We know all our slots are booked for today and tomorrow, and we’re monitoring it on a day-by-day basis as to how many slots we’ve got available as to who else we then otherwise need to invite in."

Hillingdon Times: Robertson House, Stevenage. Credit: PARobertson House, Stevenage. Credit: PA

Only those who have received invitation letters from the NHS, currently over 80s within 45 minutes of Stevenage, can book for a vaccine at Robertson House.

Thousands more letters are being sent out this week.

There is no obligation for anyone who is having the Covid vaccine to accept the invitation Stevenage - patients can wait to be invited by a GP to be vaccinated at a hub closer to home.

The Prime Minister’s official spokesman said: "Those who receive the letter do not have to take one of those appointments if it is too far to travel and can wait for a local appointment if they would prefer."

Read more: Hertfordshire's mass Covid vaccination centre opens

Read more: Q&A on Hertfordshire's mass Covid vaccination centre