‘It’s a step in the right direction’ – Joy as 99-year-old Great-grandmother becomes one of the first in Sunderland to get covid vaccine

The daughter of Sunderland great-grandmother Nancy Rooks has spoken of her happiness as the 99-year-old received the first of her Covid-19 jabs on Wednesday, December 16.

Brenda Cunningham from Fatfield, in Washington, took her elderly mother to the Grindon Lane Primary Care Centre where medical professionals gave Nancy the vaccine.

It comes as an early birthday present to Nancy, who will celebrate her 100th birthday on January 4 2021, after being unable to see her two children, four grandchildren and six great-grandchildren since the pandemic broke out in March.

Brenda, 66, has spoken about how her 99-year-old mum “enjoyed her day out” to get the Covid-19 vaccine and praised NHS staff for their organisation.

She said: “Everything went fine, it was really well organised by the staff at the centre and she will be going back on January 6 for her second injection.

"Mum thinks that she can go out and about now and I keep having to tell her that it’s not safe just yet as it won’t have much of an impact until we get our vaccines.

"But it is a step in the right direction, she’s had the best day today and hopefully it won’t be long until we can get out with her.”

The 99-year-old now lives in a supported living apartment after being a Gentoo tenant for 70 years, which led to her receiving the accolade of “longest serving tenant” by the housing company in January this year.

Earlier this week, Brenda said that the family are now looking ahead to celebrating Nancy’s landmark birthday when they are allowed to do so.

She commented: "Unfortunately we can’t plan to celebrate her birthday until we know what’s happening with the restrictions so we’ll have to see if we can do something for her at her home.

"She enjoys going out for a Sunday lunch, so hopefully we can look forward to that when it is safe to do so.”

Vaccines in Sunderland begun on Tuesday, December 15, with care home residents, people aged 80 and over, along with a number of NHS staff at the front of the queue.

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