Historic moment as Josephine, 83, is first Hackney resident to receive coronavirus vaccine
Coronavirus vaccinations started to be rolled out in Hackney today (16 December), as the borough was chosen as one of the first 100 vaccination sites to open this month in the UK.
Over the next four days almost 1000 people will be vaccinated against coronavirus at Elsdale Street Surgery. The first set of people to be vaccinated, by appointment only, include those aged over 80 and frontline health and social care workers.
Cheers erupted from the Doctors, Nurses, volunteers and patients as the vaccine was given to the first patient this morning.
The first person to get the vaccine was Josephine Casey, 83 from Haggerston, who moved to Hackney in 1980 and previously worked as a Council Houisng Officer.
I feel marvellous about getting the vaccine today. I've been encouraging my friend to get it too – she eventually agreed and is coming tomorrow. I think it is important for us to get the vaccine, we’ve got another few years left in us yet! It’s great that the National Health Service is looking after us so well.
Josephine was vaccinated by Dr Shaine Mehta, a local GP who put himself forward to help with the vaccination effort. Dr Anna Pilkington was the person to vaccinated the second person, John Parker, 81.
It feels great to vaccinate our first patients today. It is such a milestone in our battle against covid-19, and we are also one of the first sites in London to be vaccinating. I would encourage people to get vaccinated when they are asked to do so – if people are worried by some of the vaccine myths out there then you can always call up your GP or speak to a medical professional who can help alleviate your concerns.
The country-wide vaccination programme is the result of the hard work of thousands of scientists across the world, rigorous testing and clinical trials and, finally, approval of vaccines by the Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency (MHRA).
I’m actually excited to get the vaccine. I'm 81 and the way I look at it, any chance I can get to keep safe with this vaccine is better than nothing. I’m not scared about getting the vaccine at all – I've had my flu injection, so this is fine.
Mr Manubhai and Mrs Kamuben Patel, 91 from Hackney Central were brought in by their son Ashwin Patel who was grateful to see his parents getting protected.
This is the best thing that has happened all year, I hope everybody takes it as it protects everyone, my parents were really excited when they got the call from their GP that they could come in and get the vaccine.
I’m excited to be one of the first people to get the vaccine. It is a good thing – it is important for us all to get the vaccine because it has spread throughout the world and we need to have the vaccine to protect everyone.
People will be contacted by the NHS once it is their turn with information on how to receive the vaccine. For most people this will be a letter, either from their GP or the national NHS. This letter will include all the information needed to book appointments, including a person's NHS number.
Ivan Worrell, 94 from South Hackney attended with his daughter.
I feel happy about getting my vaccine today, getting the vaccine is good for your health, it is a very good thing.
Mayor of Hackney, Philip Glanville came along with Cllr Kennedy, Cabinet Member for Health to the opening of the vaccination centre.
I would like to thank all of the NHS staff and local volunteers who have managed to set this centre up in only two weeks.
It is great news, after the year we’ve had, to see our first residents getting vaccinated, and I’m proud that Hackney has been chosen as one of the first 100 vaccination sites in the UK.
Today was a really hopeful day, and with the vaccine we can start to look forward to a better 2021. But in the meantime, we must all continue to follow the Tier 3 rules and keep Hackney safe
Please do not contact the NHS to get an appointment until you get this letter. Information on the vaccine is available on here: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/coronavirus-vaccination/coronavirus-vaccine/
In the New Year two further vaccination centres will be set up in the borough. Keep up to date with the vaccine roll out by signing up to the Council’s newsletter at www.hackney.gov.uk/newsletters.