Life-saving coronavirus vaccinations will be delivered from a cinema and a mosque as the NHS’s largest immunisation programme continues to accelerate.

NHS England has said that a mosque in Birmingham and the Odeon in Aylesbury are among dozens of new sites that have started to offer the service for those in the highest priority groups.

High Street pharmacies including a Boots and a Superdrug began delivering the jabs last week and another 65 pharmacy sites are joining the programme this week and early next week with more to come. They include the pop-up Odeon and Village Hotel sites operated by Pharmacy2U, and the Manchester Whalley Range Tennis and Cricket Club, run by Wilbraham Pharmacy, as well as more than 55 independent pharmacy sites, helping to ensure that every part of the country is well served.

Vaccinations are already available from more than 1,000 GP-led services, more than 200 hospitals and a growing network of large-scale NHS Vaccination Centres.

Bruce Warner, NHS deputy chief pharmaceutical officer, said: “The NHS vaccination programme, the biggest in the health service’s history, has got off to a strong start with our hard-working staff delivering more than four million vaccinations. After our successful launch in pharmacies last week, scores more sites are now offering the life-saving jab. As more vaccine supply comes online, we will be able to open even more helping us to vaccinate vulnerable people even faster.”

Health Secretary Matt Hancock said: “Vaccines are the way out of the pandemic and this historic rollout will cover every corner of the country. Community pharmacists have been phenomenal and will have a pivotal role to play in the continued expansion of the programme.

“Through the UK vaccine delivery plan, over four million people have already received their jab. From hospitals to pharmacies, sports clubs to places of worship – we’re making sure the vaccine is as accessible as possible. In the meantime it is vital everyone continues to play their part in this national effort by staying at home to protect the NHS.”