Hospital volunteer Norma “delighted’’ to be the first person to get the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine in East Lancashire

An 80-year-old hospital volunteer from Blackburn has become the first person in East Lancashire to receive the Covid-19 vaccine. 

Norma Roe, who has served as a volunteer on the main reception at the Royal Blackburn Teaching Hospital for 14 years received the Pfizer vaccine this morning at the Hospital’s vaccination hub. 

She said:

“I am delighted to be the first person to get the vaccine and I have been made to feel very special by the vaccinating team! 

I was actually very poorly with COVID-19 earlier this year so I had no hesitation in getting the vaccination when it was offered to me. I feel it is extremely important to protect yourself and others from the spread of COVID-19 as it is a really unpleasant illness to have.” 

Kevin McGee, Chief Executive of East Lancashire Hospitals NHS Trust, said:

“It is fantastic news that the Trust has now been able to begin administering the vaccine, taking us one step further in the fight against this dreadful virus. And I am so extremely grateful to the number of different teams both within our hospitals and our partners that have come together to make this happen.  

A huge amount of preparation and coordination has been needed to ensure the safe and effective running of this programme, so I'd like to take this opportunity to thank all the different teams involved. I would also like to sincerely thank Norma for agreeing to be the first over the threshold of our new vaccination hub and wish her a very happy Christmas and a healthy New Year."