Daughter of 100-year-old Sunderland Great-grandmother puts Covid vaccine fears to rest

Great-grandmother Nancy Rooks from Grindon received her first Covid jab on December 16 and then her second on January 6 – even taking the time to celebrate her 100th birthday in between the appointments.

Nancy enjoyed the big day on January 4 with her family, who self-isolated over the Christmas period so they could spend a small amount of time with her.

Her daughter Brenda Cunningham from Fatfield, in Washington, took her elderly mother to the Grindon Lane Primary Care Centre for both occasions and she has confirmed that her elderly mum was fine after each of the jabs.

The 66-year-old said: “Mum had no symptoms after getting either vaccine, she was right as rain. In fact she enjoyed her day out again when getting the second one as she is finding lockdown hard.

”A lot of the staff at the Grindon Lane Primary Care Centre knew of mum and they were all wishing her a happy birthday as she had just turned 100.”

Brenda also revealed that her older sister, Jean, is receiving her first vaccination next week and she wanted to put anyone’s fears to rest over getting the jab.

She added: “I’ve been both times with mum and my biggest fear beforehand was wondering if there would be big crowds.

"However I can honestly say that all the staff at Grindon were excellent, everything was relaxed and it was a lovely atmosphere as it was very well organised.

"Everyone waiting for their vaccine is well looked after and I now have no concerns whatsoever when it’s my turn, especially considering that mum had no reactions to it.

"If she can do it, then I can do it.”

The Washington grandmother even took the time to joke about conspiracy theories relating to the vaccine, joking that “if there is a tracker in it, at least someone will be able to find me if I ever get lost”.

The Sunderland Echo and its sister titles are running the Shot in the Arm campaign, calling on the Government to enlist local pharmacies to help roll-out the vaccine – you can sign the petition by clicking here.

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