Accrington centenarian Bessie Salmon celebrates receiving the Covid vaccine
Date posted: 17th December 2020
Accrington resident, Bessie Salmon braved the wintery weather to visit the vaccination centre in Accrington to receive the covid vaccination today (17 December). Bessie, who celebrated her 100th birthday in November was delighted to receive the vaccine from Michelle Haworth, Nurse from Peel House Medical Centre in Accrington.
Bessie said that the jab was “like the flu jab, not much different”, and was looking forward to getting home for a cup of tea. Staff at the vaccine centre were delighted to receive the spritely and spirited centenarian who relatives say keeps active and independent.
Practices in Hyndburn took delivery of the vaccine, with the first clinics starting from Tuesday 15 December, with the 17th being the last day for this round of vaccinations. More community sites will be going live in other areas from later in the week onwards.
The over 80s were the first group to be invited for the vaccination by direct invite from their GPs. The NHS will contact people in each of the priority groups identified when it is their turn to receive the vaccine.
Dr Fiona Ford, Hyndburn GP and Clinical Director for Hyndburn Central Primary Care Network said:
"In this first stage of vaccination, those with the highest risk are being invited first. We were really honoured to receive and give the vaccine to Bessie. To be healthy and well at 100 years of age as she is, is no small feat, particularly after the year we have had, but I understand that she has weathered the year well. On top of us giving the vaccine to so many over 80 year olds this week, this is such a hopeful end to the year, and gives us hope that we can see the back of the virus in 202”
The vaccination programme will continue over the next few months and will be carried out in a careful, planned way with invites to those in the high priority groups from their GPs. The general public are asked to please not contact the NHS to try and get a vaccine, we will contact you to arrange an appointment.