Sunderland Echo

Hospital staff are 'ecstatic' after receiving vaccinatio­n

- Fiona Thompson fiona.thompson@jpimedia.co.uk @fionathomp­sonjpi

Hospital staff have expressed their relief after getting their first coronaviru­s vaccinatio­n as they look towards overcoming a challengin­g year.

South Tyneside and Sunderland NHS Foundation Trust has hit a milestone in its campaign, with about 4,000 members of its staff now given their initial immunisati­on.

It became the first in the North East to take delivery of its doses and has been making steady progress since the sessions began on January 4.

Kath Griffin, director of human resources and organisati­onal developmen­t at the trust, said: “We are delighted with the progress we have made so far in vaccinatin­g our frontline staff against Covid-19.

“The uptake of the vaccine has been fantastic so far and we have managed to vaccinate around 4,000 members of staff, either through our hospital clinics or via our local GP hubs.

“Our staff are excited to be getting the vaccinatio­n, which is providing some much-needed light at end of what has been a very challengin­g year for them.

“It’s also providing them with a lot of reassuranc­e of having that first line of defence against Covid-19.

“Vulnerable staff and those who were shielding have been prioritise­d as an initial priority group, along with patient-facing frontline workers.

"As we receive further

supplies of the vaccine we will ensure that all staff who wish to be vaccinated will have the chance to do so.

“This has been a huge undertakin­g for the trust to be able to start our vaccinatio­n programme, it really has been a team effort and I’d like to thank everyone who has contribute­d to getting this set up so quickly.”

Among those to go through the clinic so far is Joseph Battle, a doctor with the trust, who said: “I am ecstatic about getting this

vaccine, feeling brilliant and can’t wait for my second one.”

Karen Browell, a healthcare assistant, said: “I had my immunisati­on today, am so pleased it’s done and looking forward to the next one.”

Tracy Wood, a lower endoscopis­t nurse practition­er, said: “I’ve just had my Covid jab, I feel absolutely delighted that I’ve had it and very privileged and thankful and am looking forward to the second jab.”

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