THE roll-out of Covid-19 vaccines has begun at Feldon Lane Medical Practice in Halesowen, with a couple in their 80s first in line to receive the new coronavirus jab.

Gerry and Maureen Hughes, who have been married for more than 60 years, had the first dose of the new Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine yesterday (Monday December 14) at the GP surgery which is one of two Primary Care Networks (PCN sites) in the Dudley borough to have received supplied of the vaccine.

The couple, who are aged 81 and 84 and have two daughters and three grandchildren, were overjoyed to be the first to receive the game-changing vaccine locally.

Maureen said: “It means an awful lot to be the first people to be vaccinated. I can’t thank people enough who have made the vaccine possible. When you’ve been isolated for months, it’s great to see the product at the end - we’re just really excited.”

Gerry said: “People don’t realise what goes on behind the scenes - what they’ve achieved bringing the vaccine to a surgery like this is fantastic - they’ve done a great job.”

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They were both followed by 91-year-old Stanley Davies, from Halesowen, (pictured above) who said, “Having the vaccine will mean I can relax and look forward to the next vaccine dose. I live on my own and whilst I still get about, this year has been more difficult. I’d encourage others to get the vaccine so we can all get back to normal.”

Patients aged 80 and above, who are mobile, are being prioritised to receive the jab at PCN sites as advised by the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) who decide the order in which people will receive the vaccine.

GPs and other primary care staff contacted eligible patients over the weekend to book them in to vaccination clinics and will continue to do so as the week goes on.

Dr Gillian Love, senior GP partner at Feldon Lane Medical Practice and clinical director for Halesowen PCN, said “The vaccine is a fantastic opportunity to restore a degree of normality, for families and friends to reconnect and for the country to get back on its feet.

“I would encourage anyone offered the Covid-19 vaccine to step forward when asked to do so, this is our opportunity to protect ourselves and each other.”

Dr Mohit Mandiratta, GP Partner at Feldon Lane Medical Practice, said “I like the rest of the world, looked on as the first vaccine was delivered in Coventry last week, and today, a week later was proud to be arriving at work ready to start vaccinating our first patients here in Halesowen.

“It’s been such a difficult time for everybody over the last nine months and it’s great that we have a light in sight at the end of the tunnel.

“But for now it is important people continue to follow the guidelines because we’re not out of the woods yet. So it’s important that over Christmas people follow the national guidelines and continue to protect themselves and each other as much as possible.”

Northway Medical Centre (part of the Sedgley, Coseley, Gornal PCN) is the only other designated site in the Dudley borough to be administering the vaccine from this week.

Health chiefs for the Black Country and West Birmingham say they will continue to stand up more vaccination services over the coming weeks.

Vaccination centres treating large numbers of patients will also subsequently stand up when further supplies of the vaccine become available, they added.

The NHS will be in touch with people as and when they become eligible for the vaccine. Patients do not need to contact their practice.

In the meantime people are urged to do everything they can to stop the spread of the virus - by following government guidance and adhering to the tier three restrictions which are currently in place in the West Midlands.