RESIDENTS at a Coventry care home followed in the footsteps of Margaret Keenan by becoming among the first to be vaccinated with the Pfizer-BioNTech jab.
More than 20 people living at Richmond Bede – the retirement village in Bedworth – received their injections on December 22 as part of the national vaccine roll-out.
They were thought to have been the first group in Warwickshire to receive it.
Tina Kingsman, head of care at Richmond Bede, said: “2020 was tough for us all, and while we’ve been working hard to keep spirits high at the village, we’re delighted to end the year with this good news.
“As with anyone getting the vaccine, it’s important we don’t let our guard down and we’re not expecting things to go back to normal straight away.
“At the same time, it’s a huge reassurance for everybody here – and a nice reminder that brighter days aren’t too far away.”
Pamela Hewitt, 91, who lives at the care home, added: “It was very easy – we found out we were able to get the vaccine that morning and had the jab the same day.
“It was fuss-free and wasn’t painful at all.
“It’s comforting to know that the vaccines are available, and I hope it will help us get back to a sense of normality one day soon.”
The vaccinations were delivered by a nurse from the Park Leys Medical Practice in Holbrook.
Staff from the GP practice will be returning to the home in the days ahead to vaccinate other residents, before administering the second doses in the weeks ahead.
Care home residents and staff are amongst the groups being prioritised in the drive to deliver the vaccinations, with further care homes expected to benefit in the weeks and months ahead.
