Hear from people who have had their vaccination

We’re proud to be part of the biggest vaccination programme the NHS has ever undertaken and our team of 40 vaccinators, headed by experienced flu vaccination lead, Senior Nurse Helen Lloyd, is working hard to ensure that as many people as possible receive their vaccinations as quickly as we can offer them, vaccinating hundreds of patients every day.

Our vaccination programme began on 9 December. According to the latest guidelines, we’re vaccinating those most at risk first – the over 80s and care home staff, together with a small number of vulnerable frontline NHS staff.

Many staff have volunteered to help give vaccinations, including retired colleagues returning as NHS Reservists, bank staff and regular staff from NNUH and other Trusts who are doing extra shifts.

Kenneth Ireland

Our very first patient – and the first to receive the vaccination in Norfolk – was Kenneth Ireland, 86, from Wymondham.

He responded to the round of applause he received afterwards by saying: “You all deserve a lot more of that. It couldn’t have gone any smoother. The set-up is brilliant as are all the people included in it. I said yes because I wanted to be protected. I think if you are offered it you would be silly not to have it. There have been lots of tests. I have full faith.”

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Evelyn

When Evelyn, 91, received a call from her GP saying she could have the vaccination, she said she was shell-shocked and hoped it meant she could get back to her first love of singing in two choirs in 2021

“I’m absolutely amazed,” she said. “This is the start of the end [of coronavirus]. Bless these lasses, they have been working their socks off. It’s a lovely atmosphere. Nobody is grumbling, the feeling seems to be very lovely and supportive. My advice is to everyone to get it as soon as you can.”

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Charles

Charles Stevens, 89, from Great Plumstead, was also vaccinated on the first day. “I didn’t hesitate when they asked me to have the injection,” he said. “This is an opportunity to get back to normal.”

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Murray and Julia Ferguson

Among the first to receive their second doses of the vaccine were Murray and Julia Ferguson, from Happisburgh.

“We’re very grateful to have been given our vaccinations – it’s a huge relief and now we’re looking forward to being allowed to see our family again,” said Julia.

“It’s a real pleasure coming here,” said Murray. “The staff are all so welcoming and happy – you can tell how pleased they are to be doing what they’re doing. It must be such a relief for them to see the success of the vaccinations after everything they’ve gone through over the past year. We can’t thank them enough.”