Excitement and relief at Wigan Covid-19 vaccination centre

Wigan Today visited the vaccine hub created in a sports centre this week to see residents aged between 65 and 69 and 16-to-64-year-olds with underlying health conditions get their jabs.

The borough’s roll-out received a shift of emphasis late last week when NHS England said it would vaccinate the older cohorts, leaving the Wigan teams handling jabs for younger people who are at increased risk due to health issues.

However, some people in the 65-to-69 age group who had already booked their appointments before that decision was made were told to keep the initial arrangements, while health bosses have said anyone of that age who can’t get to a regional hub should speak to their GP about getting vaccinated in the borough.

Public sector workers who have put their hands up to help manage the enormous vaccine project also spoke about their pride at being involved in such an important moment in history.

After months of staying at home and obeying various restrictions to slow down the spread of the coronavirus, there was a palpable sense among those who had just had their first dose of a light at the end of the tunnel.

And there was once again lavish praise for the organisation of the vaccine roll-out and for the staff working to get everyone their jabs.

Yvonne and Stephen Davies, from Goose Green, received their vaccines at roughly the same time.

Stephen, 58, said: “It was fabulous, very well organised with no problems whatsoever.

“I’m more excited than anything else. We’ve finally got it done and hopefully can get back to some normality.

“It has been hard, missing family is the main thing. It’s also not being able to get about and do what you want. You feel very enclosed. It must have been horrendous for those who had to shield.

“The day they rang and told us we were getting the vaccine was a great relief.”

Yvonne, 58, said: “We were looked after very well by the staff.

“We’ve not been able to see Stephen’s mum because she’s had to shield. She had her 90th birthday in lockdown and we couldn’t see her.”

Standish resident Elizabeth Southworth, whose husband Michael also received his vaccine, said: “I’m very grateful to everyone. It is a huge relief.

“It has been horrendous. Fortunately we have been home schooling our grandchildren so that has given us a focus.

“I can see why people say it has affected mental health. Hopefully things are looking better.”

Yvonne Seddon, 57, said she “didn’t feel a thing” when having the jab and said she was “really happy” to have been vaccinated. Yvonne, from Worsley Mesnes, said she was already looking forward to coming back for her second dose.

Ann Howlett, from Beech Hill, said she knew what to expect when she turned up as her husband Norman had already been to Bolton for his jab and she works as a carer for a lady who had a vaccine at home.

Ann, who received her first dose the day before her 65th birthday, said: “It was brilliant, it ran very smoothly. I was very impressed.

“Normally we go on holiday for birthday. Last year and this year we haven’t been able to do that but we’re now looking at May and will feel much more positive and confident about it.

“We would normally look after our grandson but haven’t been able to do that either. We will now feel better about doing that, especially with him going to nursery.”

For some Wiganers the call to receive a vaccination came much sooner than they had expected.

Daniel Baldwin, from Winstanley, underwent surgery last year after suffering deep vein thrombosis (DVT) and found himself being shuffled up the priority cohorts.

Daniel, 36, said: “I was expecting to be one of the last because I’ve never had health issues before but the DVT puts me more at risk because of breathing difficulties. That put me on the list.

“I couldn’t walk for a month after the DVT and with lockdown I haven’t had physio or been able to go to the gym. I should have recovered by now but I’m still months away from full recovery.

“It’s been a nightmare but I think it has for everyone so I don’t want to complain too much.

“Getting the jab is a relief and a boost for everybody.”

Residents who have visited the vaccine centres over the past few weeks have found an enthusiastic group of staff waiting to help them through the process, from checking they haven’t got Covid symptoms and signing in to ensuring they sit for 15 minutes if they have had the Pfizer jab.

Many have been redeployed from elsewhere within health organisations or local government and are clearly enjoying playing a part in the roll-out.

Sally Tran, who normally works at Wigan Life Centre as a senior leisure assistant, said: “They asked at work if people wanted to do it and I did, both for mental health and for helping other people.

“Some people are quite nervous and haven’t been out for so long so it’s nice for them to see a friendly face or someone they recognise.

“I’ve seen a few people from leisure who’ve had the vaccination and they were happy to see Inspiring Healthy Lifestyles people working with them.

“I’ve been redeployed since January and it feels really worthwhile.”

Marie Baron was on her seventh shift away from her usual role as a commissioning and transformation senior officer usually supporting mental health services at NHS Wigan Borough Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG).

She said: “I’m part of the health and wellbeing group and we were asked to pick up shifts here if we have them available in our diary.

“I love it. It’s nice to see people out of the house and excited about coming for their jab.

“There has been some anxiety when people are surrounded by others having been at home for a long time, but after conversations with us and the nurses they are generally fine to go.

“It’s exciting, it’s like being part of history and part of the solution.

“I like being in the waiting area because you get to chat with people and see how they are doing.

“On one of my shifts we had a woman who came to have a jab on her 100th birthday. It was lovely. She was thrilled; she said it was the best present she could get.”

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