NHS worker, 64, becomes one of the first people in Sheffield to get Covid-19 vaccine

An NHS worker from Sheffield who became one of the first people to receive the Covid-19 vaccine this morning has spoken about her experience.
By Robert Cumber
Published 8th Dec 2020, 13:14 BST
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The 64-year-old, who works at Royal Hallamshire Hospital and is being treated for cancer, got the jab at 11am today at the new vaccination centre which has been set up at Northern General Hospital.

Speaking to BBC Radio Sheffield, the woman, who only gave her first name, Janet, said: “I’m outside the Northern General now having had my Covid vaccination and I must say it was painless.

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Covid-19 vaccinations got underway across the UK today, with Sheffield Teaching Hospitals becoming one of more than 50 vaccination hubs nationally (Photo by JUSTIN TALLIS/AFP via Getty Images)Covid-19 vaccinations got underway across the UK today, with Sheffield Teaching Hospitals becoming one of more than 50 vaccination hubs nationally (Photo by JUSTIN TALLIS/AFP via Getty Images)
Covid-19 vaccinations got underway across the UK today, with Sheffield Teaching Hospitals becoming one of more than 50 vaccination hubs nationally (Photo by JUSTIN TALLIS/AFP via Getty Images)
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"I was in and out within a matter of minutes. I had to fill a form in, sat down and had a little chat, they gave me an information leaflet and that was it.

"The jab was done and I have the next follow-up jab in 28 days. I must say there’s nothing to it. Don’t be afraid. Just get it done. Keep safe.”

Chatting to Toby Foster ahead of her appointment she said: “I’m currently on cancer treatment and I’m classed as clinically vulnerable and I work for the NHS. I’m a clinical coder at the Royal Hallamshire.

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"I’ve been working at home since March so yesterday I got a phone call saying there were some vaccines not allocated and would I be willing to have one. So I’m quite a lucky girl, I’m going to be one of the first to get it.”

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Asked whether she had hesitated about taking up the offer, she replied: “No. Not at all. It will just give us your life back. When you’re told you’ve got cancer things change anyway but it will be so nice to be able to see the grandchildren. I’ve got seven grandchildren so it will be nice to be able to get in touch with them again.”

She told how she hadn’t been able to see her grandchildren in the flesh since August and had a new grandson in Bristol she had only seen once in person since he was born.

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“I can’t wait for that hug, Obviously you’ve got FaceTime and Zoom and we have quizzes every week to keep in touch with everybody but (it will be nice) just to have that physical interaction and be able to hug and kiss them when you want,” she added.

Related topics:SheffieldNHSBBC Radio SheffieldQueen