Guernsey Press

Vaccination centre in action at Beau Sejour

A FEELING of gladness permeated the emotions of islanders on the way to the vaccination centre yesterday morning.

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Essential worker Elma Costa from Q3 was disinfecting and cleaning the doors at Beau Sejour. (29159658)

On the first day of the opening of the centre at Beau Sejour and the first working weekday since the island re-entered lockdown, a number of over-75s were eager to get their first dose.

About 1,000 people are set to be vaccinated this week in the converted Sir John Loveridge Hall, with 270 people coming through their doors on the first day and Stanley Cleal, 78, said it had been well organised and efficient.

‘Brilliant,’ he said.

‘With what’s going on now, I’m very pleased to be able to have it, the staff here made sure everyone was okay, asking us questions throughout, such as which arm I want to have it in, but it was painless.

‘I had the Oxford/AstraZeneca and I’ve got my second dose booked for March and I can’t go anywhere now anyway, so quite happy.’

He said he had family members who had been affected by the virus, which meant he would now be relied upon.

‘I’ll be helping with the shopping,’ he said.

‘It’s fine, I’m halfway to being vaccinated.

‘I think the island going into a second lockdown is a very good action, the other island [Jersey] made a mistake not doing so, we’re making the right choice.’

Tim Henderson, 79, agreed.

‘It had to happen,’ he said.

‘Both lockdowns happened at unexpected moments but at the right time.’

He added that he had meant to have his vaccine today and although he had to reschedule it because of being on dialysis, when he did have it he would feel more comfortable.

‘There were things that I wasn’t able to do during the first lockdown, once I have both doses and the island gets back to normal again, it will mean something.’

Enzo Diacono, 79, was pleased to arrive at the vaccination centre despite a second lockdown being announced on the eve of its opening.

‘I’ll feel less vulnerable, I’ll be glad of that,’ he said.

Enzo Diacono, 79. (29159678)

Marlene Harvey echoed the sentiment.

‘I am so, so glad,’ she said.

‘I feel a lot better and it will help me worry less about going shopping.

‘It’d be silly not to get vaccinated, it means a lot to me.’

The vaccination is being administered by medical professionals, such as doctors, nurses and paramedics.

Up to 15 vaccinators can work at once at the hall and they can each give about six injections an hour – about 90 to 100 per hour.

The centre is due to operate until around mid-May and vaccinate everyone in the one to nine priority groups. This will include all over-50s, people with underlying health problems and medical staff.

A second round of vaccinations is due to be discussed and decided by the Civil Contingencies Authority.