‘WALKING DOWN TOWN WILL BE LIKE GOING TO AMERICA’
ONE of the first people in the New Ross district to get the vaccine, Betty Brothers from New Ross, said she will feel like she’s walking in America when she has the second shot and can go downtown once more.
Betty (87) was the first patient at Northgate Medical Centre to get the Pfizer/ BioNTech vaccine on Tuesday morning,
She all but danced out of the surgery having been given the jab and is recommending that everyone gets it.
‘I was the first of the over-85s to get it. They were so excited and so kind. I have been going there since it was run by Horan Kelliher, having gone to Dr Hickey before that.’
Betty, from Wexford Street, New Ross, said she misses not being able to meet her four grandchildren in person and her walks down to the boardwalk to take in the views of the Barrow.
‘I really miss that and having a cup of coffee downtown. Now I go to the Library Park instead.’
Betty said she has great company with her daughter Susan, who lives with her, and she enjoys reading to pass the time.
‘I am looking forward to going downtown. It’ll be like going to America. I have another daughter in Mount Elliott and she has two children, but I don’t get to see them as they are extra careful.’
Betty has some medical issues but feels great in herself and said she suffered no side effects from the vaccine.
‘I didn’t even feel the shot. I think everyone should get it. Why take a chance? It’s better to be sure than sorry. I have lived through all of the vaccines, including polio and TB, and none of them were 100 per cent at first. The Pfizer vaccine is over 90 per cent effective so I would completely and utterly recommend it.’
Betty loves travelling abroad but will be happy to be able to enjoy the wonders of Ireland once she gets her second jab next month and once the restrictions are lifted later this year.