Marjorie Patterson, aged 103 from Leeds, is one of the oldest patient to have safely received the COVID-19 vaccine on Saturday 19 December at the Grange Medical Centre in Seacroft, as the NHS rolls out its biggest vaccination programme in its history.
Marjorie, said (pictured on the left): “I feel really fit and well at 103 and want to stay that way. Having the vaccination means I don’t have to worry about getting COVID-19.”
This week GP practices up and down the country started vaccinating those aged 80 and over, who have been identified as the first priority for this life-saving vaccine. GP practices have been supported by nurses, paramedics, pharmacists and other staff to deliver the vaccine.
The vaccination programme began last week at Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust with the site being one of the first 50 ‘hospital hubs’ to take part in this historic event. The approach to get Leeds to this stage has involved all NHS bodies in the city working alongside Leeds City Council and the community and voluntary sector.
Dr Jason Broch, Clinical Chair of NHS Leeds Clinical Commissioning Group and GP in Leeds, said: “Marjorie is one of the oldest patients in Leeds to get vaccinated and this should encourage others to attend their appointments when invited by their GP practice.
“If you’re eligible to have the vaccine as you’re in the priority group, you will be contacted and invited to have the vaccination. Please do not contact your GP practice they will contact you and please be patient. GP practices across the city are working extremely hard to book patients in for their vaccine and at the same time they are continuing to deliver their wide range of services to other patients. Waiting until you’re contacted will help keep phone lines open for people who are ill or need our help.
“Can I please remind people that we must continue to follow the current guidance, wash our hands regularly, try to keep to the two metre distance rule where possible and wear a face covering when we’re out including health settings. This will help control the spread of the virus and save lives.”
Information about the vaccine can be found on the NHS website by visiting the following link nhs.uk/CovidVaccine
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Issued by the communications team at NHS Leeds CCG. For media enquiries, please email us: leedsccg.comms@nhs.net.