Sunderland's first covid patient Marion Jolliff has covid vaccine jab on Valentine's Day

Marion Jolliff, 63, from Pennywell, was in a coma for three weeks after she was taken to South Tyneside District Hospital on March 5, 2020.

She tested positive for coronavirus and spent more than four weeks in hospital undergoing intensive treatment.

Thankfully, Marion proved to be a fighter and her condition improved to the point where she was able to return home on Tuesday, April 7.

However, it has been a long road to recovery for Marion, who says she is still suffering from what she believes to be long covid symptoms, including breathlessness.

But now she has been left overjoyed after receiving her first dose of the Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine at Grindon Lane Primary Care Centre on Sunday, February 14.

Marion said: “After all I have gone through – I don’t know if I have antibodies – I have been waiting to get this [vaccine] as it is another way of fighting it off.

"It’s not just for my protection but for other people’s, the families, the neighbours – anybody I come in touch with.

"It’s not just yourself you are protecting – it’s other people.”

She continued: "I think people would be silly to refuse it [the vaccine]. Get it – it could save your life."

Marion said getting the vaccine was quick and simple and the whole process took just 30 minutes from checking in at the health centre to the 15-minute wait time afterwards.

Although she has experienced some side effects, including tiredness and a headache in the hours after the vaccine, Marion knows more than anyone that such symptoms are nothing in comparison to the virus itself.

"I’m lucky to be here,” she said.

Marion and her daughter, Amber, 29, who has also had the vaccine after being listed as vulnerable, now have to wait around 12 weeks for their second dose.

Marion’s husband, Alen, 65, is also due to book his appointment soon.

Praising both the medical staff at the vaccine centre and those who cared for her throughout her battle with coronavirus, Marion simply said: “thank you for saving me.”

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