Every vaccine gives us hope

More than a million people in Kent and Medway have now been vaccinated against Covid. What kept everyone going were the stories of people as they left the vaccination centres – people who had not left the house in months, had not seen their grandson or granddaughter and who were effectively trapped by the horrible virus. Here’s what they said about receiving the protection of a vaccine…

‘Covid nearly killed me, I’m so grateful for the vaccine’

Grandad-of-six Richard Denyer, who almost died of Covid, was one of the first people to receive his vaccination on the opening day of our Thanet vaccination centre in February.

The 66-year-old spent a month battling the disease just before Christmas and was given a 20 per cent chance of survival.

He was given his first dose of the life-saving vaccine in February with his wife of 46 years, Teresa, who has Alzheimer’s, by his side.

He said: “Covid is a devastating disease and I wouldn’t wish it on my worst enemy, I would encourage everyone to have the vaccine. My wife and I ended up in hospital with Covid before Christmas and spent a month there. We had been so careful, but I think we caught it in a shop.

“Teresa became so ill three days later, she couldn’t get out of bed. I called 111 and she ended up in the Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother Hospital on oxygen. I probably should have gone to hospital at the same time, but I thought I would be okay. I ended up in a different hospital ward days later on 85 per cent oxygen. I was told my chances of survival weren’t good.

“I was in hospital with seven other people, I came out in a wheelchair; four others didn’t come out at all. I owe those hospital staff my life. They were wonderful and I can never repay them. I have been waiting for this vaccine ever since and I am so delighted to have it.”

Retired police officer Richard, from Herne Bay, who is still suffering from scarring on his lungs, said: “The thing I’m looking forward to the most is seeing my family and my grandchildren; we have a new grandson Oliver, who we have never held.”

Watch this: You can listen to Richard talk more about his experience on our YouTube channel.

‘Just want to see my grandchildren’

Maurice Jeffery was one of the first to be vaccinated at our Folkestone vaccination centre.  The grandad-of-10 had his vaccine in the store that used to be Bobby’s, where he worked as a carpenter more than 60 years ago. Maurice, 79, said: “I didn’t feel a thing. I have three daughters and two of them work in pharmacy and told me I had to get the jab. It was something I knew I had to do. The last time I was in the building, I was just a boy during my apprenticeship. I fitted the sprinkler system. I just can’t wait until I’m fully protected. I live on my own and I desperately want to see my grandchildren.”

Please say ‘yes’

The Bishop of Dover, the Right Reverend Rose Hudson-Wilkin, was vaccinated at our Folkestone centre in March. Reverend Rose said: "I am so pleased to have had my coronavirus vaccine. Thank God for the NHS, for the volunteers helping to run the vaccination service and for our amazing scientists! Please say ‘yes’ when your opportunity comes."

Anniversary joy

Lynda and Tony Smith from Cliftonville celebrated their 58th wedding anniversary with a special trip to our vaccination centre in Ramsgate on 23 March for their second jab. Tony said: "She asked me what I had planned for our anniversary and I said: 'darling, I'm taking you out!'". The happy couple are looking forward to seeing their three children and five grandchildren as soon as they can. Our team member Bex Galbraith gave them both their life-saving jab.

Thank you – for everything

The incredible communities of Kent have supported our vaccination centres in so many ways and over the last few months we have been inundated with donations of food, drinks and treats for our hard working teams. We don’t have space to thank everyone, but we have appreciated every single gift and treat, large or small. A special thanks to the Salvation Army, which not only provided hot food and drink to our vaccination teams on many occasions, but also to people waiting to have their vaccination.

We also had help from our friends at Kent Fire and Rescue which released staff to help us get the vaccine centres up and running.

Vaccinator Jacqui Cotterill shows off some of the drawings done by children from Briary Primary School and St Richard's School to brighten up our Chatham centre.

And our centres have been brightened up by pictures from local schoolchildren.