First Covid-19 vaccination at 99
At 99 years old, Noreen Williamson has just got her first Covid19 vaccination.
And all it took was a few encouraging words from her 70-year-old son Maurice Williamson, a former National MP and cabinet minister, to ensure her protection against the contagious Omicron variant.
‘‘I said to her: ‘Omicron is way more infectious [than Delta] and just about everyone will get it,’’ Maurice told
Stuff.
‘‘I don’t want you at your age to get sick, it could be very serious for you’.’’
‘‘She said ‘OK if you want me to get one, I will’.’’
Noreen lives alone, in her family home of 60 years in Matamata.
Her only visitors since the start of the pandemic have been caregivers, health workers, and the occasional visit from family and friends.
While a strong believer in vaccines – she still gets her flu jab every year – Noreen didn’t think getting the Pfizer vaccine was necessary.
She doesn’t leave her home and her exposure to the public is minimal.
But without hesitation, Noreen rolled up her sleeve once more.
Maurice booked the appointment online at Book My Vaccine and by 2pm Noreen was walking into Life Pharmacy on Arawa St with her zimmer frame in hand, and son at her side.
‘‘We wandered down, and they made a real fuss when they saw her,’’ Maurice said.
Staff couldn’t believe her date of birth was 1922, he quipped.
She wasn’t afraid to get the jab, he said, everyone in his family were strong believers in vaccinations and never doubted its effectiveness.
‘‘We all wanted to be first in line when we became eligible.’’
The mother and son duo spent the rest of the afternoon together, enjoying a drive around town – something Noreen doesn’t get to do too often.
Eventually, Maurice returned home to Auckland, but he continued to make regular phone calls to check how she was going.
‘‘I don’t know what all the fuss was about, it was no big deal,’’ Noreen told Maurice that day.
Noreen’s booked in for her second vaccination in the coming weeks and plans to get her booster, too, ‘‘if she can make it to then,’’ Maurice said.
‘‘We make jokes about how she will get a letter from the Queen or Prince Charles if she makes it to 100.
‘‘She’s lived a brilliant life. She’s outlived all of her brothers and sisters by about 30 to 40 years.
‘‘We don’t know who will come to her funeral, every one of her friends and family has long passed on.’’
Noreen, who turns 100 in December, might be small and frail, but her mind is sharp as a tack.
She’s happy living on her own, as the suggestion of moving into a retirement village or in with her son at his home in Auckland, receives a firm no.
‘‘Matamata is where my heart is,’’ she told Maurice.