A SOON to be first-time Drumchapel granny is among those to share her joy at getting her first dose of the Covid-19 vaccine.

Mhari Baumer, from Drumchapel, says the vaccine is a significant step to ending a “bad dream” in time for her family’s “June blessing”.

The 67-year-old received her jab in the Drumchapel Donald Dewar Community Centre earlier this week as Scotland passed the one million first doses mark.

She is one of a number of pensioners to speak out as we feature the people at the heart of the vaccination programme.

She said: “I’m a hairdresser, so these past few months have been difficult. That’s the reason I’m getting the vaccine – to get back to work.

Clydebank Post: Mhari BaumerMhari Baumer

“Well, not the only one – my first grandchild is due in June. It’s been a wonderful blessing as my daughter is 41, and I’m just praying life is getting back to normal by then.

“Right now, it feels like I’ve been in a bad dream and I keep hoping I’ll wake up. Maybe this vaccine will be the end of it. If it hadn’t been for my two dogs, Teo and Sassy, I’m not sure what I’d have done.

“The people here have been great, and I was surprised how quick and painless getting the jab has been.”

Ann Johnston, 67, from Drumchapel, said: “I was feeling very calm. I came up early, and everyone has been fantastic.

“Like everyone else I’m fed up with it all. I’m just getting sick of this.

“This biggest thing though is just being able to see family again.

“Please go and get your vaccine – it will make such a big difference.”

Clydebank Post: Ann JohnstonAnn Johnston

Staff working hard to protect thousands have also had their say, telling of the inspirational people they have met.

Pamela McLean is one of the senior staff nurse and lead nurse at the clinics.

She said: “The people coming through here are great.

“The uptake has been fantastic, but so far things have been running really smoothly.

“It’s been lovely getting to know people – we’re seeing a new person every five or 10 minutes, and hearing their stories, and their hopes for the future. For some it’s an important interaction with someone new.

“I can’t thank the team enough. They’re all choosing to be here, and that’s obvious in everything they do.”

Clydebank Post: Pamela McLeanPamela McLean

Margaret Davies from Drumchapel is a domestic worker at Glasgow University. She also received her first dose along with her husband Archie.

She said: “I’m just getting bored now – being stuck at home like this. I’ve got four grown-up kids and two grandchildren, girls aged eight and five, and I’ve not seen them since December.

“I hope the vaccine allows us to get back to normal life and I can’t wait to get back to work.”

Retired warehouse worker Archie said: “It’s been really good. It’s made me feeling really hopeful for the future.

Clydebank Post: Margaret and Archie DavisMargaret and Archie Davis

“I just can’t wait for some sense of normality. It’s the little things I’m looking forward to, like going to the pub and having a pint with my friends.”