First coronavirus vaccinations done at James Paget Hospital
The first Pfizer jabs have been given out at the James Paget in Norfolk.
Last updated 9th Dec 2020
The James Paget Hospital has confirmed it has begun vaccinating people using the recently approved Pzifer-BionTech vaccine.
Karen Brown, who's 41 and the head of house-keeping at Ritson Lodge care home in Hopton was the first to be vaccinated this morning.
She said afterwards: "I am normally petrified of needles but I didn't feel a thing!
"Hopefully this is the beginning of normality now. I just want people to smile again."
Following Karen was Hannah Fulcher, a 22 year-old who works as a trainee deputy manager at the Beeches Care Home in East Harling.
She said she was getting the vaccine for the residents at the home "to give them hope".
Hannah added: "They haven't been able to see family, they cannot hug - it's getting towards Christmas now and we just want them to be happy.
"I will be able to go back and say 'we're getting somewhere now'."
82 year-old Joseph Nicholas from Great Yarmouth was among the first in the area to receive a vaccine, and for him it was an early birthday present.
He said: "I wanted to be one of the first in the queue for the vaccine."
Samantha Blowers, Michelle Eichhorn and Siji Dileep administered the first vaccines at the hospital this morning.
Siji said: "I am proud to be part of this big vaccination programme and thank you for being my first patient."
People are being reminded that they will be invited when a vaccine is ready for them and reminded about the following:
- Please don't contact the NHS to seek a vaccine, they will contact you
- When they do contact you, please act immediately and attend your booked appointments
- Continue to follow to follow all the guidance, hand hygiene and social distancing in particular - to control the virus and save lives
- Those eligible for the first wave of the vaccine will start to receive invites over the coming days and weeks.
- {{news}}