THOUSANDS of Helensburgh and Lomond residents have taken the first step on the road to recovery after receiving their initial dose of the Covid-19 vaccines.
The community vaccination programme for over-80s began in Helensburgh last weekend as around 1,400 patients from the two GP practices at Helensburgh Medical Centre, and the Garelochhead practice, attended Lomond School’s sports hall on Saturday and Sunday.
Across the Gareloch more than 100 people were vaccinated at Kilcreggan Medical Centre on Monday, while further vaccines are being administered at Dr Troup & Partner at the Three Villages Hall in Arrochar.
Recipients of the Oxford/AstraZeneca jag, as well as those with relatives and friends who have now been inoculated, commended the “well organised, professional operation” in the area so far.
James Cairns, who lives with wife Lesley in East Rossdhu Drive, said the mass undertaking was “absolutely wonderful” as more than 25 Burgh vaccinators, along with management and admin staff and volunteers on Saturday ensured the process ran smoothly.
Ahead of his 81st birthday in March, Mr Cairns said he was relieved to see light at the end of the pandemic tunnel, but he will only rest easy once his “much younger” partner had also been vaccinated.
He told the Advertiser: “The process on the day was absolutely wonderful. It just shows that if you let the people get on with it life is a lot simpler and easier and well organised.
“I just walked in the door about three minutes early and it was just a case of straight through, have a seat, get the jag and then out the door.
“There was hand sanitiser on the way in and on the way out, the car park wasn’t crowded at all. It was so well organised, like the flu injection at Hermitage Academy in the autumn last year. They know what to do.
“I was very happy to go and get the vaccine as soon as I got the call. In relation to some of the other medical problems I’ve had it was dead easy.
“Life hasn’t changed because you don’t get any immunity until about three weeks after the first dose, so at the moment life goes on and I do as I’m told.
“Until my wife is vaccinated it would be a one-sided affair, so life getting back to normal doesn’t compute at the moment, but it seems to be on the horizon.”
The first priority group of 673 patients received their vaccines at the Lomond School facility on Saturday, with more than 700 following suit 24 hours later.
A post on Helensburgh Medical Centre’s Facebook page at the weekend hailed the “fantastic achievement”, with staff calling it a "very memorable and proud day for team Millig".
A social media post from Lomond School referenced its Latin motto, ‘Prospiciamus’, which “seems particularly apt for the moment... let us look forward!”
A similar online statement from Kilcreggan Medical Centre, shared on Monday, said: “Thank you so much for everyone who attended today for the first over-80s Covid vaccine session.
“We managed to do 120 vaccines - and those vaccines all only arrived on Friday! Until we get more from the central stock we are on a bit of a hiatus.
“Thank you to Linda and the admin team for all the work that went into the organisation, thanks to Dr Barrett who assisted with the clinics and a huge thanks to all the carers and relatives who helped to bring people down.
“As with the flu please do not panic if you did not get done today - we are running in age order backwards and will contact everyone.
“If you know of anyone who is temporarily in the area and over 80 please ask them to get in touch to arrange their vaccine.
“Likewise if you are ‘frontline health or social care staff’ and have not been vaccinated by work can you please let us know. (Also if you have been vaccinated elsewhere could you also let us know so we don’t start chasing you!).
“Once again thanks to everyone. That was one of the most uplifting days we have had in a long time and is hopefully the first step on the road to recovery.”
Commenting on the Advertiser’s Facebook page, KJ Mills said: “My 84-year-old dad got the Oxford/AstraZeneca vaccine last Saturday and was neither up nor down - very well organised and easy as pie.
“My 84-year-old mum is in Argyle Care Centre and had the Pfizer vaccine in early January - again with no problem at all.
“Delighted they have at least some immunity and will be delighted once they have both had their second dose.”
Argyle Care Centre worker Helen Hughes said she has the “cleanest tonsils in town” as she gets tested three times a week after receiving the vaccine, while Teri Brady said nurses at the Victoria Integrated Care Centre were “so understanding and patient” when she received her first dose - despite having a needle phobia.
John Chalmers said: “I had mine on Sunday. Felt feverish through the night and a slight headache and nauseous till five o’clock Monday. Stayed in bed the whole of Monday but have been fine since.
“First time I’ve felt bad from a jab since yellow fever one in 1964.”
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Jonti Bear Farden said she was “very very happy” after her father received his first dose on Saturday.
“It was a great day for him and us as he’s been shielding since March so it’s his first step to being able to see us all again and his grandchildren”, she added.
Colin Campbell said: “My wife and I got our AstraZeneca jabs on Sunday at Lomond School sports hall - very well organised and staff friendly and efficient.
“Fortunately neither of us had any after effects and look forward to receiving our second jabs, hopefully in less than the 12 weeks stated."
Finally, Claire Walker took her in-laws for their vaccine on Sunday and said afterwards: “I was very impressed with how everything was organised.
“Everyone was very friendly from the men on the gate and in the car park to the team doing the injections. A massive thank you to all involved.”
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