'Now I can start to get my life back': First patient in Skegness is vaccinated against Covid-19

"Now I can start to get my life back!' - this was the verdict of the first patient in Skegness to receive the Covid-19 vaccine.
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John Sampson, 80, arrived at the Storehouse for his 9am appointment on Saturday morning - and it couldn't have come a day too soon.

"It didn't hurt at all - it was just like a little push on the arm," he said smiling behind his mask.

"I didn't really feel the needle going in.

John Sampson, 80, of Skegness, became the first patient in Skegness to receive the Covid-19 vaccine from advanced nurse practitioner Jane Spence, of Orby, who had come out of retirement to help.John Sampson, 80, of Skegness, became the first patient in Skegness to receive the Covid-19 vaccine from advanced nurse practitioner Jane Spence, of Orby, who had come out of retirement to help.
John Sampson, 80, of Skegness, became the first patient in Skegness to receive the Covid-19 vaccine from advanced nurse practitioner Jane Spence, of Orby, who had come out of retirement to help.

"Having this vaccine means the world to me. I was speaking on the phone to my daughter who lives in Lincoln this morning and messaged her as soon as I had had it - she sent me a thumbs-up.

"I've only been able to see her once socially-distanced since March - I can't wait for the day when we can hug each other."

Hoping to also get a holiday later in the year, he said: "I was due to go to Japan for a cruise and join the Diamond Princess in March as my big birthday trip, but it was cancelled after the ship was quarantined following the outbreak of Covid-19 on board.

"Looking back I guess it was a lucky escape - but now the vaccinations have started I'm hoping to get a holiday later this year."

Vaccinations get underway at the Storehouse in Skegness.Vaccinations get underway at the Storehouse in Skegness.
Vaccinations get underway at the Storehouse in Skegness.

His vaccinator, advanced nurse practitioner Jane Spence of Orby, had come out of retirement to be part of the six-strong team in the conference hall delivering the Pfizer vaccine

As well as delivering the first vaccine at Skegness, she said she also had the privilege of doing the same when the Marisco Medical Practice in Mablethorpe went live on Friday..

"I feel proud to be part of this," she said. "I retired in October and all of my plans and my social life have collapsed.

"This means we are one step nearer to getting our lives back."

Firefighters from Skegness Fire Station went along to the Storehouse on Tuesday to assist the Clinical Commissioning Group (CGG) in setting up the hall. Between 300 and 350 patients a day are initially expected from the Beacon and Hawthorn medical practices, with more as time goes by..

The Skegness centre launch was part of the coastal delivery of the vaccine, which included the Marisco Medical Practice in Mablethorpe as well as Skegness area patients.

A one-way system has been put in place from the Storehouse entrance on North Parade into the conference hall.

Vaccination stations are situated two metres apart. Once patients have been vaccinated they are guided to an observation area for 15 minutes to make sure they have no reaction to the vaccine before leaving the building via a door in the hall.

Then they will go back in a few weeks for their second vaccination, continuing to wear masks in indoor spaces and following the social-distancing guidelines in the meantime.

Mickaela Crane, locality manager for the CCG, had been in Mablethorpe the day before overseeing the Marisco Medical Practice going live and said she was delighted to see patients coming through the door at the Storehouse.

The Storehouse has been commissioned until August, with the first group to receive the vaccine being the over-80s. The vaccine will also be rolled out to local care homes from there.

In addition to the six vaccinators, there is a pharmacist dispensing the vaccine, who has come in from Manchester.

"It is a great honour to oversee these centres going live and especially emotional for me seeing the patients arrive today because I come from Skegness," said.Mickaela.

"I was also at Louth Hospital when it went live and have to admit there were a few tears from the team that day.

"I feel so proud to be part of this and helping to give people their life back."

Patients are reminded they will be contacted by letter by the NHS and are asked not to call their GP practices to book an appointment.