It’s the news we’ve all been waiting for – the first Islanders have received the COVID-19 vaccine this afternoon (Tuesday), marking a major turning point in the coronavirus pandemic.
RAF Veteran and great-grandfather Kenneth Killeen, 98, from Newport, was the first person on the Isle of Wight to receive the Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine. The vaccination took place at Carisbrooke Health Centre on the outskirts of Newport at 13:46 on 15th December 2020.
Mr Killeen, who has 2 children, 2 grandchildren and 4 great-grandchildren, served during World War II. Speaking about the vaccination he said:
“It’s not been an easy year for anyone – particularly with lockdown. A lot of elderly people were confined in their homes.
“I didn’t expect to be front of the queue, but very pleased to be. I fully respect people who won’t want it on various grounds, but if you can you should.
“Particularly when you think of medical science now to how it was 98 years ago when I arrived.”
The most vulnerable Islanders are first in line to receive the much-anticipated vaccine, including those aged 80+ as well as care home workers and residents. All those vaccinated will need a booster jab 21 days later.
The NHS will be contacting people in the priority groups when it is their turn to receive the vaccine and they will be invited to Carisbrooke in the first instance. A number of other vaccination centres across the Island will open over the next 10 days.
Giving the vaccination today was Dr Myrto Kaklamanou, GP at Carisbrooke Health Centre, and clinical director of the Central and West Health Alliance Primary Care Network. She said:
“This has been a really busy, but a very exciting, week for us and we are proud to be delivering the covid-19 vaccination.
“We are so pleased to be able to offer the vaccination to island patients, and I really want to say thank you to the whole GP practice team and our partners, who have done an incredible job and standing up this clinic so quickly.
“I am so proud to be working with such supportive colleagues who pulled out all the stops to get us going.
“Of course though, we know that this will be a marathon and not a sprint. While it’s great we can start the vaccination programme, we know that the virus will still be in the community for many more months.
“This is why it’s important we continue to follow government guidance, that we wear face coverings, wash our hands and observe social distancing.”
Council leader Dave Stewart has welcomed this ‘hugely positive step forward’. He’s said:
“This is such a hugely positive step forward on the road to recovery from the impact of coronavirus for us all.
“The distribution of the vaccine in the community is being led by the NHS and we are doing all we can to support them in the biggest vaccination programme in its history.
“However, we all need to be aware that the number of vaccines will be limited to start with and the initial vaccination invitations will be going to people most at risk from coronavirus.
“We have a long way to go before larger stocks of vaccines are available to the public and that means we must continue to stick to the rules, wash our hands regularly, wear a mask where necessary and keep a two metre gap when possible, and also celebrate Christmas safely.
“The virus spreads quickly by close person to person contact and will continue infecting people until the majority of people have been vaccinated.”
The Carisbrooke area is likely to be busy with individuals travelling to the Health Centre for vaccination. Motorists are being asked to use alternative routes to and from Newport and to avoid Carisbrooke High Street if possible.
Those attending a vaccination appointment are asked not to park on the highway unless in a designated parking space. There is a short stay car park nearby, opposite the Co-Op.
Now they are talking about a new strain,
are they covering themselves in case the Vaccine does not protect against
the virus!
Who can trust a TORY!, let’s face it, they don’t trust each other!
So who do you trust? Surely not any of the opposition parties. That would be really irresponsible!
I trust my own judgement.
Look after yourself, no one else will.
Well let’s hope those that have family / friends in higher tiers tell them to stay away .
Please although we are a tourist island be sensible and do not come over .
I have as previously said I have seen Welsh Scottish and French visitors over on the island !!!!!
Let’s all ensure ,2021 is a much better year for everyone .
As we all know January will almost certainly be lock down .
I too have seen many French camper vans
So many people seem to be coming to the Island.
Well let’s not fall off the path now ,we are 1 step further to a bit more normality with the vaccine it would be a shame to waste the efforts put in by all our vulnerable people who have been shielding.
And those that have followed hands face and space .
Not forgetting those that have taken part in the vaccine trials to benefit is all..
The ferries need support to turn camper band foreigners etc away .
I personally think the ferries should stop tourists from boarding when we are in lockdown. A simple DVLA check or driving licence address should prove legibility to come here. Problem is lack of paying visitors, so they will let anyone come here when we are told not to travel!
So true, but the Island does not even have Speed cameras.
It is Dinosaur Island.
Well Done Kenneth, you were a hero in WW2 and your a Hero now 1st Islander to get the vaccine. You fought for our freedom in WW2 and now you are leading the way and showing us how to get our freedom from this Pandemic, I will follow your example and take the vaccine as soon as it is offered, I hope everyone else follows your lead and then TOGETHER we will win.
Yeah I sure as hell won’t be getting one.
And why is that Richard cast your mind back if old enough to th mmr lies that were put about and think of the poor mums and dads that now wish the kids had been given mmr jab measles was eradicated in this country until then and now we still have it
He looks happy about taking the jab !
The tories are in not the opposition, they are the irresponsible ones at present