Vaccinations in Care - Kathryn's story

With COVID-19 vaccinations well underway in our care homes, we hear from some of our frontline colleagues who’ve already received their first jab. Curious about what to expect from the process? Want to understand what the vaccine means to care workers? Read on for the latest in our series of blogs focusing on vaccinations in care…

Kathryn’s vaccination story

To me, it’s a way forward to the light at the end of the tunnel and I was excited to have it done. The vaccine has been in development for a lot longer than you think too. 

The last year has been a very difficult year for everyone. We have all struggled in different ways. When I heard there was a vaccine which was 95% effective and would be available to care workers, I was really keen to get it – not just to protect myself but for my colleagues, friends and family. 

I did some research and found out the vaccine isn’t as “new” as many people think – scientists have been preparing for a SARs virus pandemic – so the vaccine has been around a long time. This year it was finely tuned and as it had been well tested, I felt very relaxed about having it done. In fact, I was excited that I was invited to have one by Newcastle City Council.

The process was really easy too. I received an email offering some dates and I selected the best day for me - I only had to wait about 3 days until my vaccine day. When I went for my appointment last Sunday there was a fantastic system in place. Everyone was wearing PPE, people were socially distancing and there were “Vaccination volunteers” there to offer support and refreshments.  The booking in system was very thorough – they asked me all about my previous medical history and how I was feeling which was really reassuring.  The nurse who gave me the vaccination told me he’d had his jab the night before and had no side effects at all.  I have to say the vaccination was totally painless – in fact I asked if he had actually given me it!

I feel very privileged to have been given the opportunity to be in the one of the first groups to be offered the vaccine and I would encourage everyone who can have the vaccine to have it. 

How many of us have booked a holiday abroad and never given a second thought about having all the vaccines to go away for a week or two - so why be so reluctant to have something that will protect you and others?

Kathryn West is one of our District Managers in Care Services

We take the safety of both our colleagues and our residents very seriously and are doing everything we can to safeguard them from the virus. Learn more about what we are doing to protect our residents here: https://www.anchorhanover.org.uk/media/press-room/vaccinations-taking-place-across-anchor-hanover-care-homes