Wellingborough Covid vaccinations underway for over 80s

Some of Wellingborough and surrounding villages' most vulnerable residents aged 80 and over have started receiving the first dose of their Covid-19 vaccination.

A vaccine hub has been set up as part of the Queensway Medical Centre dedicated to an 8am to 8pm service with a one-way system and waiting room.

The centre has been providing jabs for Queensway Medical Centre, Albany House Medical Centre, Abbey Medical Centre, Redwell Medical Centre, Castlefields Surgery, Irchester Surgery & Summerlee Medical Centre and Wollaston & Bozeat Surgeries.

The vaccine arrived on Tuesday at the centre with patients chosen for the jab by their surgeries from a list of over 80s with underlying health conditions.

Senior partner Dr Chris Ellis said: "The take up has been spectacular. We have had a very low no show rate - just one or two people.

"We are prioritising our over 80s and those with asthma, COPD, heart disease or diabetes. It is most important that they are the first to receive the vaccine."

The surgery has a designated entrance and after arriving at their appointed time patients are welcomed by a meet and greet volunteer.

Following the signs, they are called to one of four consulting rooms where the medical staff confirm their identities and go through a medical check list.

Reasons to be refused the vaccine include pregnancy and a serious previous anaphylactic reaction.

Senior nurse Mandy Healy helped to organise the vaccine centre.

She said: "It's gone even better than we hoped it would. I set up all the rooms and we've done special training because the vaccine is so fragile."

The life-saving Pfizer jab, found to be 95 per cent effective in mass trials, is being given to patients in a simple shoulder injection.

After receiving her first vaccine dose, Rachel Cheesman, 87, from Wellingborough said: "I am pleased to have it. There's nothing at all to worry about. I was worried about getting Covid. "

Husband and wife, Trevor, 84, and Betty Tilley, 82, travelled from Wollaston after being invited by their Irchester surgery.

Betty said: "It was nothing to worry about. We have been very careful to avoid Covid and have isolated a lot. It is a relief to have the vaccine but we will still take care. None of us want to peg out."

Trevor added: "It has been very well organised and it's been no problem at all.

"I don't understand people's attitudes. They can be very blase about it as though the virus doesn't exist. We need to get the virus under control."

People need to have two jabs, 21 days apart. Full immunity starts seven days after the second dose.

Dr Ellis added: "The older patients are very stoic about this and are really pleased to be invited."