David Brindley first man in Leicestershire to get Covid vaccine

87-year-old David Brindley has become the first person in Leicestershire to receive the vaccination for Covid 19, outside of a clinical trial.

The vaccination programme began at a new hub at Leicester General Hospital on Saturday (12th December), days after the vaccine was rolled out in the UK.

David Brindley, 87, from Glenfield, was the first local patient to receive the vaccine. The father of three and proud granddad of nine who has lived in Leicestershire for 26 years, described himself as being honoured to be the first person to get the vaccine locally. He said he hoped it would mean that he could soon hug his grandchildren who he hasn’t been able to see during the pandemic.

The vaccine was given to David at the Leicester General Hospital on Saturday morning - the first of almost 1,000 doses that are expected to be administered over the next few days. Immediate priority is being given to patients aged over 80 who are already attending hospital as an outpatient or being discharged home after a hospital stay, along with NHS and care home staff considered to be at the greatest risk from the disease.

The vaccine, which is typically injected into the patient’s upper arm, was given by Senior Occupational Health Nurse, Cathy Brough who has worked for the local NHS for over 20 years. Cathy said it was a proud moment that she would remember for the rest of her career.

We asked David (87) how he felt about being the first patient to get the Covid-19 vaccine in Leicestershire. Here’s what he had to say... pic.twitter.com/QK1cbYqicn

— Leicestershire Partnership NHS Trust (@LPTnhs) December 12, 2020

Rebecca Brown, acting chief executive of University Hospitals of Leicester NHS Trust, gave her thanks to staff from across the local NHS. She said:

“It has been a remarkable effort by everyone to get our hospital hub up and running and we are so grateful to them. It has been wonderful to be here today and see and feel the hope and optimism as we take these next steps against the virus. Meeting David, the first patient to receive the vaccine locally and seeing the first jab administered was an honour."

The national roll-out of the vaccine began when a grandmother from Coventry became the first person in the world to receive a Covid 19 vaccination outside of a clinical trial. 

The first woman in Leicestershire, and second patient, to have their Covid-19 vaccine was Anne Brookes, age 86, from Shepshed. A keen bridge player she’s looking forward to playing it again face to face, and to seeing more of her family and friends. 

Claire Reed was the first Leicestershire Partnership Trust staff member to have her Covid vaccine. 

Great words of encouragement and hope from LPT’s first staff member to receive her Covid-19 vaccine - children’s nurse Claire Reed. ‘It’s really important we get the vaccination so we can go out there and protect and look after others’ pic.twitter.com/9f2VteMyfL

— Leicestershire Partnership NHS Trust (@LPTnhs) December 12, 2020

People will be contacted by the NHS when they become eligible and are being invited for vaccination. Because of the complexity of the programme this will take some time, and people should not be concerned if they are eligible but not invited immediately. They do not need to contact the hospital or their GP practice, and it is important that they do not attend any NHS location speculatively in the hope of being vaccinated.

For further information about Covid vaccinations visit: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/coronavirus-vaccination/coronavirus-vaccine/.