THOUSANDS of Sussex residents will be invited to receive a coronavirus vaccine this week.

In a major milestone for the biggest vaccine rollout in NHS history, letters will be sent across the county to those in the next two priority groups.

That includes those 70 and over, as well as those listed as clinically extremely vulnerable.

More than five million people in England will be invited to get a jab, it has been reported.

Last week, data revealed that almost half a million vaccines had been given out in the south-east.

Of the 1,997,304 first jabs given out across the country, 348,863 of were given out in the region.

It comes as the Prime minister promised that the first four priority groups would receive the jab by the middle of February.

The Argus: There are currently four GP-led vaccination services in Brighton and Hove, including Brighton Racecourse. There are currently four GP-led vaccination services in Brighton and Hove, including Brighton Racecourse.

Boris Johnson said: "Today is a significant milestone in our vaccination programme as we open it up to millions more who are most at risk from Covid-19.

"We are now delivering the vaccine at a rate of 140 jabs a minute and I want to thank everyone involved in this national effort.

"We have a long way to go and there will doubtless be challenges ahead – but by working together we are making huge progress in our fight against this virus."

More than 3.8 million people in the UK – including over-80s, care home residents, and NHS and social care staff – have already received their first dose of a Covid-19 vaccine.

There are currently four GP-led vaccination services in Brighton and Hove, including Brighton Racecourse.

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Residents will be invited to receive their jab at one of the venues but are asked not to contact their GP surgery so that their practice team can focus on arranging the vaccinations.

The expanded rollout arrives as a ban on quarantine-free travel into the UK came into force at 4am in a bid to keep out new coronavirus strains – such as those which have been discovered in Brazil and South Africa.

The new rules mean arrivals from every destination will need to self-isolate for 10 days, or receive a negative result from a coronavirus test taken at least five days after they enter the UK.