New clinical vehicles offering Covid-19 tests are being rolled out across Staffordshire this week.

The hybrid vehicles are also due to offer Covid vaccinations and will allow the County Council and partners to expand both testing and vaccinations to more locations in the county, helping more residents access both.

Locations will be announced in due course including local colleges, businesses and community settings.

Cabinet Support Member for Public Health and Integrated Care, Dr Johnny McMahon, said: "It's vital that as many people as possible get their Covid-19 vaccine to protect themselves and their loved ones this winter. Along with our partners, we want to make getting your vaccine as simple as possible, particularly for those young and working aged people who can't always make it to a vaccine clinic due to work or learning commitments.

"The new mobile clinical units will allow vaccines to be brought to these settings making getting vaccinated more convenient and further increasing vaccine uptake in the county.

"If you are still waiting to receive your first or second dose of the vaccine and get the chance to make use of one of these new vehicles, please don't hesitate. Getting vaccinated is vital if we are to protect our communities and healthcare services from winter illnesses this year."

Johnny also emphasised the importance of continued testing among vaccinated residents: "Even if you have had both doses of your vaccine, continued testing is vital to help quickly identify and contain any cases of the virus. Our new units will also be offering supervised Covid tests and testing kits for you to test twice weekly at home."

The new clinical vehicles are jointly funded and operated by Staffordshire Fire and Rescue, Midlands Partnership Foundation Trust (MPFT) and Stoke-on-Trent City Council.