GP SURGERIES across Sussex will start giving out the Oxford vaccine in an "unprecedented effort" to vaccinate the nation.

The Oxford-AstraZeneca is being rolled out to sites across the county, as part of a national effort to jab thousands each day.

The rollout comes just days after a major incident was declared in the area over fears the mutant strain could overwhelm services.

There are currently six-hospital vaccination sites giving out the jab, including Royal Sussex County Hospital in Brighton and Princess Royal Hospital in Haywards Heath.

Speaking at a Downing Street news conference yesterday, Boris Johnson said there would likely be "lumpiness and bumpiness" in the rollout programme.

The Argus: Boris Johnson

He said: "Let's be clear, this is a national challenge on a scale like nothing we've seen before and it will require an unprecedented national effort.

"Of course, there will be difficulties, appointments will be changed but... the Army is working hand in glove with the NHS and local councils to set up our vaccine network and using battle preparation techniques to help us keep up the pace."

More than 700 local vaccination sites will administer the Oxford jab, in an attempt to vaccinate 13 million people in the top four priority groups by mid-February.

READ MORE >> Army will use 'battle techniques' to support vaccine rollout

To help reach the target, the arm has been drafted in to help keep up the pace of rollout.

The Prime Minister said the Army will use “battle preparation techniques, ” in order to vaccinate millions from the disease.

Almost 1.5 million people have now received at least one dose of a Covid-19 vaccine.