Pensioners in vaccination hotspots are celebrating after receiving their Covid jabs and are looking forward to making the most of their freedom by enjoying a pint and hitting the races when lockdown ends.
Some regions are leading the way with vaccines, with the Cockermouth and Maryport primary care network in Cumbria having vaccinated 92.8 per cent of over-80s and Yateley in Hampshire, which has achieved 90.86 per cent.
Parts of the Cotswolds have also vaccinated more than 90 per cent of the over-80s.
Chipper residents from the areas have now revealed how they have already booked cruises and are looking forward to ‘meeting friends for a gossip.’
But the PM has had to move to reassure MPs that the UK was still ‘on track’ to hit the target of vaccinating the 14million most vulnerable people by mid-February, amid rising alarm at a slowdown in progress in some areas.
The PM warned that ‘constraints on supply’ were making the situation harder as he was grilled by MPs in the Commons this afternoon, after alarm that the daily rate had fallen for a third consecutive day.
Left, Retired race horse trainer David Quartermaine, 80, from Moreton-in-Marsh in the Cotswolds is looking forward to enjoying a pint now that he’s had his vaccine. Right, Katherine Pindar from Cockermouth in Cumbria is looking forward to enjoying a holiday
Butcher Brian Diaper from Yateley in Hampshire, told MailOnline: ‘I missed getting my hair cut’
Some regions are leading the way with vaccinations; with the Cockermouth and Maryport primary care network, in Cumbria, having vaccinated 92.8 per cent of over-80s and Yateley in Hampshire, which has achieved 90.86 per cent
Ministers have been slammed by furious families and charities for failing to vaccinate care home residents despite the immunisation programme launching six weeks ago and already being expanded to over-70s
Care home residents and over-80s alongside NHS staff were part of the priority group of 6.7million people to be inoculated.
On Monday some 5.6million people in their 70s and younger people classed as clinically extremely vulnerable became eligible for vaccine.
Pensioners in the seaside town of Cockermouth, Cumbria, spoke of their joy after receiving the coronavirus vaccination.
Margaret Graham, 78, is waiting her second injection and can’t wait to meet up with friends again once it is safe to do so. The retired bank clerk said: ‘I feel a great sense of relief at the minute, now I just wish I could get the second one.
‘I’m still trying to keep away from people which I think we will have to do for a bit but I am happier.
‘I’m looking forward to being able to go out and meet friends and go for a meal, and being able to have a bit of gossip.
‘It’s the simple things I’m looking forward to, nothing too big. I have grandchildren but they’re in Wales and I can’t go see them yet because of their situation but I’m a lot more joyful now.’
Retired headteacher Hugh Hanratti has already booked a summer holiday abroad after having his jab.
The 75-year-old, who lives just outside of Cockermouth, said: ‘You definitely feel as though you’re less likely to get the virus once you’ve had the vaccine. ‘I’ve booked a holiday already to France, as long as they will allow us in.
‘We’re due to go in August and it’s something to look forward to. I never felt very fearful because we all locked ourselves down anyway and you couldn’t go to the shops.
‘But it’s a relief to have had it, even if it won’t change the way we behave in the short term. I have seven grandchildren and we’ve had four of them in our bubble, hopefully in about six months time the restrictions might have eased.
‘I am pleased I have had the vaccine – I think anti-vaxxers are people who must never go anywhere. ‘If they want to go anywhere of interest they’re going to have to get vaccinated.’
Alan Green is caring for his elderly partner who is recovering from a broken foot.
The 76-year-old retired ship’s pilot said: ‘We’ve both had the one jab, my partner was supposed to be getting her second but that’s been postponed.
‘They are very good here and they are very efficient. I would like to do holidays again, that’s what we’ve missed. All of our holidays were cancelled last year.
‘We love cruises. We won’t be doing them until next year but that’s what we’re looking forward to, being able to do any holiday. It keeps us going.
‘I’m interested in my music and I make my own home music. I like to go on trips where stars play for you and you live with them in a hotel for a long weekend, it’s great.
‘That was all cancelled last year and I really missed it. ‘I’m still a bit nervous about coming to the shops as I’ve only just had mine but we’re on the way. Hope is a great thing and a great healer.’
Just 204,000 people were given their first dose on Monday, down from 225,000 on Sunday, 277,000 on Saturday and a high of 324,000 on Friday.
In order to meet the target the government must average more than 350,000 doses a day from now until February 15, with the previous bullish tone from officials abruptly getting more anxious.
Pfizer’s supplies have been dented by a factory upgrade which will continue into next month.
Government sources have flatly dismissed claims there are 21million doses of vaccines already in the country, although they refused to give details of stocks saying it would be a security risk.
Officials say there are ‘a lot of moving parts’ contributing to the slowdown, with ‘intermittent’ deliveries of supplies, as well as difficulties contacting the remaining over-80s and covering care homes among the factors. However, there are hopes in Whitehall that today’s numbers will go up again.
MPs have also voiced frustration at the way supplies have been divvied out across the UK.
In London the allocation is believed to have been based on takeup of last season’s flu vaccine, which was relatively low.
Meanwhile, there are complaints that the system is descending into a ‘free for all’ with council staff being given jabs before 70-somethings in some areas.
But retired counsellor Katharine Pindar was full of praise for the efficiency of the vaccine roll-out in her area and is hopeful for the future.
The 70-year-old, who lives just outside the town, said: ‘I’m particularly grateful that I’ve had mine, some places are only just starting the over-70s but I’m lucky here in Cockermouth.
‘I’ve always gone to the local Sainsbury’s throughout the pandemic because they’re very good at keeping distance etc. But in three weeks time I will probably feel able to travel further afield.
‘I’ve got a bubbled family but there are friends I really would like to see.
‘I’m also looking forward to being able to go on holiday in this country, where I can stay in a hotel with a friend, I’m generally very positive about it all.’
Doreen Polson, also in her seventies, lives in Keswick, Cumbria, and is looking forward to being able to hug her grandchildren again – and go on holiday.
She said: ‘I’m really looking forward to being able to get out in the sunshine. We like to go on holiday once a year too, I like Fuerteventura and Spain but I don’t mind where we go. I will just be so happy to go abroad again.’
In a round of interviews today, Priti Patel was asked why a slowdown in doses was happening.
‘There remains a long and difficult road ahead… this is the largest mass vaccination programme our country has ever seen,’ she told BBC Radio 4’s Today.
‘But also we are now seeing the suppliers Pfizer and AZ – the suppliers of the vaccine are upgrading their factories changing their supply chains.
‘Of course that will inevitably have an implication in terms of the actual supply of the vaccine.
‘We will see reconfiguarion of the supply chain. I think that is inevitable because of the demand domestically and internationally.’
Ms Patel said the local variations were down to ‘NHS structures’.
‘You are going to get the variability. There is not going to be a consistent rollout programme across the country. That will be for logistical reasons, geography reasons, where these vaccine centres are.’
Patrick Holmes, 83 from Moreton-in-Marsh, in the Cotswolds and a retired golf club secretary, ‘feels great’ after having the Pfizer vaccine.
He told MailOnline: ‘I felt fine I get a bit tired but when you’re 50+ you do get a bit tired and you do like to sit in the chair and have a sleep.
‘But no it had no affect at all on me. I was so happy to have it it was just brilliant.
‘I just don’t think we’ll get back to any normality for a while. I’m not even looking at booking any holidays at the minute and I most definitely wouldn’t get on an airplane.
‘I would drive down to the coast but I wouldn’t stay over, I wouldn’t stay in any hotels or anything I’d just go for the day to have a wonder and a change of scenery.
‘I don’t particularly feel safer from having it, I just don’t feel any different.
‘After all the close downs we’ve had we have stayed at home and gone for walks and shopping and kept to the rules as we are doing today and I feel just as good – I’m fine.
‘I’ve got one child in Surrey and one who’s local to me and we do a lot of this just talking socially distanced outside.
‘But they have taught me how to FaceTime and Skype so I’m able to talk to my three children and catch up.
‘But I obviously haven’t been able to see my grandson because of all this so it will be good when I can.’
Left, Margaret Graham and right, Alan Green, both from Cockermouth in Cumbria
The Cockermouth and Maryport primary care network, in Cumbria, has vaccinated 92.8 per cent of over-80s
David Quartermaine, 80, from Moreton-in-Marsh, in the Cotswolds and a retired race horse trainer said: ‘I had the vaccine around three weeks ago and was given the Pfizer one.
‘I didn’t feel tired or anything but my wife had it as well and she did feel as if she had sore muscles and was a bit off her food for a couple days but that’s just her and how she is being in lockdown.
‘I’m not doing anything extra and being out and about. My family is down in Bristol and Yorkshire so we’re just in touch over Skype and online chatting and catching up. When we’re not in lockdown I like to go to the pubs and for coffee and watch the horse racing.
‘I belong to a horse racing group and we have coffee mornings and we all get together so it’s a proper community. I’ve also got friends that still train horses and I can go and visit when we’re allowed as it’s still such a big interest of mine.
‘I’ve got a race course pass because of being a trainer so I can go back for free whenever I want and I can’t wait to go as soon as I’m allowed and it’s safe.
‘I definitely felt a bit more comfortable about COVID we’re not abusing it though because of other people around us and neighbours and everything.
‘But I’ve got two granddaughters and I haven’t seen them or my family at all other than on our joint Skype and FaceTime calls it’s all we can do at the moment.’
David Cook, 79, from Bourton-on-the-water, in the Cotswolds and a retired vicar said: ‘I had the vaccine at Moreton-in-Marsh hospital on December 31, and they gave me the Pfizer vaccine.
‘I was very happy it was just great. I’ve been trying to carry on with normal life throughout the pandemic whilst in lockdown and staying at home.
‘But I’m very privileged that we have had them very early here in this area. I’m just so glad that I’ve already had the vaccine.
‘I can’t wait to start getting back on with normal life a bit and start going out again and going on holiday agin when we’re allowed – I’m looking forward to it actually.
‘The church has been open slightly and I’m actually taking a service on Sunday as I help the local parish’s out and I’m taking a service at a village close by.
‘We don’t sing anymore due to COVID but I’m also taking a funeral on Wednesday obviously 30 people maximum so we’re sticking to the rules.
‘And there’s no singing so I’m very happy to do that and try and carry on even with everything.
‘But it is very different for example there’s no music although we have an organist who can play but we just have to sit there and listen.
‘It’s better then not meeting definitely. People do keep their distance and they’re very very strict and the latest rules in the Church of England is that you can take a service.
‘Some churches are closed but you don’t greet people and go straight to the front afterwards so nobody talks to each other or anything.
‘It’s community and people at least can connect by looking at each other and waving. My four children are all in London so we haven’t seen any of them. And I have five grandchildren so we haven’t seen them.
‘But we phone and we zoom and FaceTime and all of that so that’s okay at least. I’m just very happy that I’ve had the vaccine and I’m obviously waiting for the second dose but I feel very happy about it and being given it.’
In the village of Yateley in Hampshire, the vaccine is providing a welcome step towards normality for Brits who have lived under coronavirus restrictions for almost a year.
Beverley Hopkins dreamed of spending her mother’s 90th birthday with her in May, celebrating with friends and family.
The 68-year-old from Mytchett, Surrey who was doing the weekly shop for her elderly mother in Yateley said: ‘I have to look after my mother, she had her vaccine last week. She’s really looking forward to getting back out and seeing her family.
‘We’ve been waving through the window and we put the shopping at her door and move away. We still can’t cuddle or go out with her, she won’t do it until she gets her second vaccine, she’s still wary.
‘We’re hoping we can get the whole family together for her 90th birthday in May.
‘Thank God they got the vaccine out, I’d prefer to have the Oxford vaccine because its home grown. Hopefully we’ll get it, be delighted and get back to normal.’
The vaccine provided a glimmer of hope for the retired cleaner who enjoyed exploring London before the national lockdown hit.
Left, Retired housewife Valerie Fuller, 89, from Moreton-in-Marsh in the Cotswolds. Right, Hugh Hanratty from Cockermouth in Cumbria
She added: ‘I do just want to get it done so I can go out again, I loved going up to London and I just want to get back there. I’d go to the museums and I’d walk and walk, I don’t get the transport if I can help it.
‘I get out at Waterloo, go to the Victoria and Albert museum, walk along the Thames and go to St Paul’s all on my own.
‘My husband isn’t interested in that and my friends don’t have the energy to do what I do. I got there once in the last year before it all shut down again.
‘Last March I was in St George’s Hospital having open heart surgery. They chucked me out in the week that everything shut down, so I haven’t had anybody see me. For a whole year I have been struggling on my own to sort myself out.
‘When I am allowed the vaccine, I will have it even though I hate injections, especially after what I have gone through over the last year.’
Vaccine centres in Yateley, Hants, were told that they will not get further supplies because they are ahead of other areas – having vaccinated more than 90 per cent of over-80s.
Anthony Broome was desperate for the vaccine after being infected with the virus over the festive season.
The 67-year-old said: ‘I have had covid, I don’t want that again, it was horrendous. I am still suffering from it now. It has taken weeks to get over it, you are so fatigued from it, it is unbelievable – I just want to go to sleep all the time!
‘At first I didn’t think the vaccine had been tested enough but since having the virus, I think anything is better than nothing and I wouldn’t want to go through that again, I wouldn’t wish it on my worst enemy.
‘It was truly horrendous. I had it for Christmas and New Year. Two friends of mine had the vaccine last week, they’re going to carry on as normal, what else can we do. We are living in strange times, I thought it would be over sooner than this.’
Over the weekend, 3.5m coronavirus vaccines were delivered across the UK, with more than 400,000 of those being second doses.
For retired Steve Shipp, 67, the pace of vaccine rollout was encouraging as he and his wife Gabrielle were desperate to travel and get back to normality.
‘We are both retired, enjoying the good life supposedly. We have no hesitations at all about the vaccine, we are looking forward to restrictions being lifted as a result and getting out and about a bit more.
‘We have a motorhome and want to take that abroad. We lived in France for three years and we had just came back to this. I would say 99 per cent of people are looking forward to getting the vaccine, getting back to some sort of normality.
‘I think we will be a lot less worried once we get it, even going to the supermarket is an issue. It is the most risky thing that we do at the moment. The vaccine will relieve that worry for us,’ the couple of 35 years married added.
Similarly, a 75-year-old man wearing a surgical mask who wanted to remain anonymous said: ‘I am supposed to be shielding but I have to get my weekly food shop, I’m on my way to the Co-operative. I am looking forward to the vaccine so I don’t have to worry so much.’
Butcher of over 20 years experience Brian Diaper added: ‘I am very happy there is a vaccine but we will still have to carry on with the lockdown and masks until we get rid of it.
‘There is definitely a glimmer of hope to get things opened and back to normal. I have missed getting my hair cut.
‘I will go straight in and get the vaccine when I get my letter, I don’t mind at all. It’s going to be beneficial to everyone if we all get it,’ the 65-year-old added.