A TEESDALE man who was among the first people in the world to receive a clinically-approved Covid-19 vaccine has urged others to do the same.
At 6.31am last Tuesday, a 90-year-old Coventry grandmother became the first person to have the Pfizer coronavirus vaccine. A few hour later it was Steven Bainbridge’s turn to get the jab.
Father-of-two Mr Bainbridge, who lives in Staindrop, received the vaccine because of his job as an internal inspector of care homes.
He said: “When I think about the sacrifices made by colleagues working throughout the entire care sector, and all of those people who were tragically lost, this really felt like a truly important, humbling and moving moment.”
Mr Bainbridge said he felt it was his duty to spread the message that the Pfizer coronavirus vaccine is safe and has been rigorously tested.
“This is a way of returning back to normality. I want to meet my friends and go out for a drink again. I want to be able to hug my grandparents again. This is our chance to say goodbye to Covid-19,” he said. Mr Bainbridge is a deputy director of regulation and quality improvement at a company which runs homes across the UK. His role means he has to visit care homes to carry out audits. He was expecting to be on the vaccination list but was surprised at how quickly it happened.
Mr Bainbridge reminded his company on Monday that he needed to be on the list when it was drawn up.
“I got a call that night to say it would happen. Then at 8am the next morning, I was told to get to James Cook Hospital, in Middlesbrough, by 2pm. It was a whirlwind and surprising how quickly it happened especially given how long we have waited.”
He said there was a feeling of jubilation at the hospital when he arrived. The historic day in Britain later made front-page news across the globe. Mr Bainbridge said: “It was quite something to be there and witness that feeling of excitement, although I’m sure it’s turned to routine by now for the nurses.
“There was more to it than your normal flu jab and a lot more information and ticking of boxes. I had a chat with a healthcare professional – mine was a kidney consultant which shows that everybody is being drafted into this. I didn’t feel the needle going in the arm – it was pain free. There was a little numbness in my arm the next day which is normal.”
Mr Bainbridge’s next jab is due later this month and he will have immunity seven days afterwards.
He hopes to be able hug his grandparents in Barnard Castle and Eggleston by the spring when restrictions are predicted to be lifted across the UK. He said: “Ignore the doomsayers, the sceptics, the anti-vaxxers. When your turn comes, get your vaccination in the knowledge that it’s safe.
“And encourage your parents, grandparents, neighbours and everyone else to do exactly the same.”
