First Covid-19 vaccine administered at East Cheshire NHS Trust

82-year-old hospital volunteer, Gordon Samways from Adlington, Macclesfield is the first member of the public to receive the Covid-19 vaccine at East Cheshire NHS Trust.

Gordon, who has been a Volunteer at Macclesfield Hospital since 2015, received the Pfizer vaccine this morning at the trust’s vaccination clinic.

He said: “I am delighted to be the first member of the public to get the vaccine at Macclesfield hospital and I have been made to feel very special by the vaccinating team! I enjoyed working as a volunteer very much and I can’t wait to get back as soon as possible.

“I had no hesitation in getting the vaccination when it was offered to me. I feel it is extremely important to protect yourself and others from the spread of Covid-19 as it is a really unpleasant illness to have.”

John Wilbraham, Chief Executive of East Cheshire NHS Trust, said: “It is fantastic news that the Trust has now been able to begin administering the vaccine, taking us one step further in the fight against this virus. And I am also extremely grateful to the number of different teams both within our hospitals and our partners that have come together to make this happen. 

"A huge amount of preparation and coordination has been needed to ensure the safe and effective running of this programme. I would also like to sincerely thank Gordon who is our most elderly volunteer for agreeing to be one of the first over the threshold of our new vaccination clinic.”

• Members of the public aged 80 and over as well as care home workers will be prioritised to receive the vaccination, along with NHS workers who are at higher risk. 
• People will receive an invitation to have their vaccine. For most people this will be a letter, either from their GP or the national NHS. 
• This letter will include all the information people will need to book appointments, including their NHS number. 
• Residents are asked not to contact the NHS to get an appointment until they receive a letter. 
• Information on the vaccine is available at www.NHS.UK/covidvaccine  
• For further information about East Cheshire NHS Trust please visit: http://www.eastcheshire.nhs.uk/ or contact the trust press office on 01625 663935. For urgent, out-of-hours enquiries, please call 01625 421000.
• East Cheshire NHS Trust is the main provider of acute and community health services for the people of East Cheshire. The trust is based at Macclesfield District General Hospital.
• Follow East Cheshire NHS Trust on Twitter for all the latest news - @EastCheshireNHS 

Pictured - Gordon Samways, 82, receiving one of the first Covid-19 vaccinations to be administered from East Cheshire NHS Trust.