We recently posted a call-out asking women in Nottinghamshire to tell us about their COVID-19 vaccinations and have shared a cross section of their experiences below.
We also recently ran a Covid-19 Vaccine Information Session which gave women the opportunity to hear from local GPs and ask questions about the vaccination. You can watch the recording of the session here to see if any other queries you have are answered – we covered a lot!
If you have any questions about the vaccine, you can also get in touch with the Nottingham and Nottinghamshire Clinical Commissioning Group by emailing: enquiries@nottscc.gov.uk or calling: 0300 500 80 80.
Marsha Brown
“I’m clinically extremely vulnerable and before I attended the vaccine appointment I was worried about how it would affect me.
I had my vaccine at Pride Park in Derby, going for the vaccine was fine and everything was very organised. I felt a little under the weather but it only lasted a few days.”
Phyllis Pempho Chitulu
“Before having the vaccine I was worried about all the reactions, and horrible things people were showing in the media.
It was strange feeling having it, I had mine at Nottingham City Hospital and I reacted a bit and was poorly so had to be off work but all-in-all I was proud of myself for taking the vaccine.
I asked loads of people at work about their experience so I knew everyone is different. I am better now as well!”
Anne Darby
“There was a lovely celebratory atmosphere once I was through the police and security guards and into the welcoming succession of staff and volunteers.
It was difficult for me because although I had said on my on-line form I need people to be ‘Deaf Aware’ they weren’t. Being passed from one masked person to another masked person to another was therefore quite a challenge as I had to explain I am deaf to each of these lovely people.
As I rolled down my sleeve I asked the assistant where she spent her time when she wasn’t at the vaccination centre and she said ‘at school’. I was moved almost to tears, what a great young woman to have volunteered for this work.
My arm felt bruised the next day and a huge bruise appeared. I think I was just unlucky that a blood vessel was nicked. I was tired for 5 days and took it easy. Then I was fine and am looking forward to the next jab in May and for everyone to be liberated from this awful fear, illnesses, hard work (or none) and to a lessening of the death toll.”
Cllr Eunice Campbell-Clark
“I went to the Forest Recreation ground to have my vaccination. It is so simple, you can go online or you can get your families to book for you. You don’t need to worry, it’s straightforward -like you’re getting you’re flu jab- it’s as simple as that. I am pleading with the Caribbean, the Asian and the African communities, and other minoritised communities: please come and get your vaccination. It’s really important.”
Sonia Burns
“I had my vaccine (Pfizer) at Kings Mill Hospital. Booking and attending went very smoothly. It was very well organised and there was free parking available at the hospital.
It took about an hour in total, I was supported to complete a questionnaire with a nurse then went through to be vaccinated.
I was told to expect a ‘sharp scratch’ which was an accurate description of how it felt. Afterwards I was asked to wait 15 minutes, to ensure I had not had an immediate / severe reaction.
I felt fine the rest of that day (my appointment was lunchtime) but I felt a bit tired the next day and my arm was sore, by the next day I was fine.”
Some more soundbites…
“I was directed to the first Nurse Manager who asked questions about any allergies etc. There was a Doctor who came over to check over my answers as I have some allergies she wanted to check… My second appointment has been automatically booked for May so nothing else for me to do!”
Eve
“Arriving at the centre was nerve racking … when I did go in it was really well organised – they took my reference number then wanted to see my evidence which I didn’t know I needed but did have on my phone luckily. I then saw one nurse who asked my DOB and address, then I went to another for my vaccine. Lovely staff and everything was dead smooth. ”
Janey
“Before having the vaccine I was worried about being stuck in a long non Covid-secure queue waiting but it couldn’t have been easier, friendlier, more efficient or more Covid-secure. Everything was done with the utmost professionalism. All the volunteers and health professionals undertaking the process were great.”
Theresa