First patients receive Pfizer/BioNTech Covid vaccine at Hillfoot Surgery and East End Medical Centre

A GP surgery in Pudsey has become one of the city's first to begin administrating the Covid vaccine.

Hillfoot Surgery, in Owlcotes Road, began offering the Pfizer/BioNTech on Tuesday, December 15.

A partially sheltered outdoor seating area has been made, where people can sit before they go into the portable building where the vaccine is administered.

An NHS in Leeds spokesman said: "Hillfoot surgery is ready!

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"The team has worked hard to welcome the 1st patients to receive their Covid vaccine in practices in Leeds.

"The NHS will let you know when it's your turn to have the vaccine. It's important not to contact the NHS for it before then."

Ivor was among the first patients at Hillfoot Surgery to get his vaccine.

He said: “I have 6 great grand children who I've not seen much of this year.

Hillfoot Surgery in Pudsey has begun administrating the Covid vaccine. Photo: NHS in LeedsHillfoot Surgery in Pudsey has begun administrating the Covid vaccine. Photo: NHS in Leeds
Hillfoot Surgery in Pudsey has begun administrating the Covid vaccine. Photo: NHS in Leeds
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"This is the first step to making life a bit more normal for me and them which is brilliant"

In East End Park, patients also began to receive their vaccines on Tuesday.

Frank and Hazel were among the first people to be vaccinated, with Frank being the first patient.

Frank said: “I’m looking forward to being with my son, his wife, and my grandchildren again.”

Hazel and Frank were the first patients to be given the Covid vaccine in the East Park Medical Centre. Photo: NHS in LeedsHazel and Frank were the first patients to be given the Covid vaccine in the East Park Medical Centre. Photo: NHS in Leeds
Hazel and Frank were the first patients to be given the Covid vaccine in the East Park Medical Centre. Photo: NHS in Leeds
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Hazel added: "I’m looking forward to a bit of freedom, and life being back to normal.

"I’m grateful for how quickly the vaccine has been developed."

Vaccines began being administered in hospitals on Tuesday, December 8.

Sylvia Harris, 80, was the first NHS healthcare worker in Leeds to be given the Covid vaccine.

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Mrs Harris was just 26 when she first joined Leeds Teaching Hospitals Trust (LTHT).

She worked as a ward housekeeper but has been shielding at home throughout the pandemic.

She said she is glad to have got the vaccine done as she misses her colleagues.

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A spokesman for the hospital said: "This lunchtime Sylvia Harris, 80-yr-old ward housekeeper, was the first of our colleagues to be vaccinated.

"Sylvia was 26 when she first joined LTHT.

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"Currently shielding at home, she said; “I miss all the people I work with. I’m so glad I’ve got it done.”

Bridget Kelly, 78, is one of Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust's longest serving nurses having worked for 46 years in A&E, including 21 years on nights.

Bridget, who works as a nurse practitioner in minor injuries, said, “This means I can get on with my life.

"I can protect my husband, who has just had a kidney transplant, and I think everyone should have it to make us all safe.”

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Dr Phil Wood, Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust's chief medical officer, said: "Our incredible staff have been at the forefront of the response to the coronavirus pandemic, supporting each other, saving lives, leading vaccine research, and holding hands with patients in isolation who sadly never recovered to return to their loved ones.

“We have worked committedly, with compassion and with hope towards the day we could begin vaccinating people to help prevent further tragedy.

"We know the struggle is not yet over but reaching this momentous point is a tremendous achievement.”

Professor Nicola Stonehouse, of the University of Leeds’ School of Molecular and Cellular Biology, said: “It’s been a very impressive achievement to have a vaccine approved for use so quickly, but this doesn’t mean any corners have been cut.

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“Although it will initially be given to the most vulnerable, we will need a high take up of vaccines across all ages.

“As the current approved BioNtech/Pfizer vaccine is challenging both to transport and store, other vaccines - if approval is granted - may be used too as 2021 progresses."

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