‘It was like an early birthday present’: 87-year-old woman among the first to receive Covid-19 vaccine in Northampton

An 87-year-old woman is among the first groups of people to receive the Covid-19 vaccine in Northampton.

Ellen Adams, who turns 88 on Saturday (December 12), was extremely happy to be offered the vaccine and even said it was ‘like an early birthday present’.

Since March, Ellen has been self-isolating at home in Roade where she lives with her daughter Pauline Pennington, so the vaccine was a welcome glimmer of hope for the family.

Ellen received the jab at Northampton General Hospital on Wednesday (December 9) and said she felt fine afterwards.

Pauline said: “Mum was contacted by the hospital to have the vaccine and she was more than happy to go along and have it done.

“We had our temperatures checked first of all and then there was a form to fill in.

“We then saw a nurse practitioner who went through what the vaccine entails and checked mum’s medical history.

“As we waited people were checking on us too and the two who administered the jab who were ambulance first responders were just lovely.

“It was really reassuring for me as it wasn’t just like she was jabbed in the arm and told ‘off you go’.

“Everyone that we encountered as we went through the process was lovely.”

After Ellen had received the vaccine, the pair had to wait 15 minutes to make sure no allergic reaction or adverse effects occurred.

In that time, Ellen was booked in for her second dose in three weeks.

Pauline added: “Mum said it was just like getting the flu jab, she didn’t have an achy arm and she was fine afterwards.

“She hasn’t been out of isolation since March so she was just really pleased to get it and to hopefully be able to see family at the end of it all.

“My main priority since March has been to keep her safe, so to know she has had the vaccine and that she will be protected is a huge sense of relief.

“All in all it was a positive experience.

“There was a steady stream of people getting the vaccine, the system seemed to work and the staff were on top of it all.

“Our thanks goes to all the NHS staff keeping people safe. They need to know we appreciate it and we take our hats off to them.”

As Ellen was one of the first Northamptonshire residents to receive the vaccine, her and Pauline are hoping sharing their positive experience will help others to address any concerns and also take the jab if it has been offered to them.

“Even in our small circle, people have their doubts about it,” Pauline continued.

“Hopefully mum being at the front of the queue will help others to stop dragging their feet.”

Currently the vaccine is only available for over 80s, some health care workers and those who work in care homes.

Those eligible for the vaccine will be contacted and should not contact the health service to ask for an appointment.

A spokeswoman for Northampton General Hospital said: “When it is the right time people will receive an invitation to come forward.

“At first we will be contacting people by telephone but for most it will be by letter, either from their GP or the national NHS.

“This letter will include all the information you will need to book appointments, including your NHS number.

“Please do not contact the NHS to get an appointment until you get this letter.”

More information on the vaccine is available on the NHS website.

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