Coronavirus: 'Our lives are important' says care home resident getting vaccine

Residents at care homes up and down the country have joined staff in expressing relief after finally getting vaccinated against COVID-19.

Zeena, a resident at St Peter’s Home in Watford, which cares for people with physical and learning disabilities, said: “I think we should all take the protection of the vaccine for the future, and make it work".

With COVID-19 responsible for the deaths of around 20,000 care home residents since the start of the pandemic, Zeena said: "Our lives are important.

"Please get the vaccine and stay at home as much as you can.”

All residents at St Peter’s Home received the first dose of vaccinations against the coronavirus.

Seema Khadun, manager of St Peter’s home, said: “We are thrilled that we have been able to provide residents with the first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine. It will change the lives of our residents and provides us with hope that the pandemic will end soon.”

Residents at The Manor House care home in Little Weighton received their first dose of the Oxford-AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine.

Sue Bell, daughter of 89-year-old Gladys Leaf, a resident at The Manor House, added: “We are absolutely delighted that mum had her first dose. Thank you to the local GP service and also to Leanne and her wonderful team at The Manor House.”

'Light at the end of the tunnel'

Chris Mitchell, chairman of Park Lane Healthcare which runs The Manor House care home, said: “The residents at The Manor House have received the best possible gift early this new year!

“The vaccine gives us real hope, as we enter 2021, that there is light at the end of the tunnel and we can look forward to brighter times ahead.

“The loved ones of our residents and anyone considering joining us in their retirement years can be confident that those in care homes are at the front of the queue to receive the vaccine.”

Mike Padgham: GP staff 'pulled out all the stops'

Residents at Alba Rose care home in Pickering travelled by minibus to the GP surgery to get their second dose of the vaccine after getting their first dose in December. Last week, staff from Pickering Medical Centre entered the care home to give residents who were unable to travel their first dose.

Mike Padgham, the managing director of Saint Cecilia’s Care Group, which runs four care homes including Alba Rose, has praised staff at the GP surgery for making sure their residents got the COVID-19 protection they needed.

Mr Padgham, who is also chair of the Independent Care Group (ICG) which represents North Yorkshire care providers, said the surgery had “pulled out all the stops” to ensure the best care for his home’s residents and staff.

Mike Padgham said: “Dr Coppack and his team have set a fantastic example for all surgeries in the way they have handled the administration of the vaccine for us.

“They have gone the extra mile to meet all of our needs and overcome all of the obstacles that I know exist. We cannot praise them enough".

After receiving jabs, another care home Valerie Manor in Steyning, West Sussex, (@Valerie Manor) tweeted its delight: 'Valerie Manor whole home vaccination yesterday. Here is our first resident receiving the vaccine. Almost 100 per cent whole home vaccination. Proud of everyone!'

Health Secretary Matt Hancock renewed his vow in last night's Downing Street briefing that all care home residents and staff in England would be vaccinated by the end of January.

Announcing the government's UK COVID-19 vaccines delivery plan, he said almost a quarter of care home residents in England have received their first dose of a vaccine.

The ICG chair added: “It is my hope that all care and nursing homes and all vulnerable people can get access to the vaccine as efficiently as Alba Rose has here in Pickering.”