THE first frontline healthcare worker on the Isle of Wight has received their Covid vaccination.

Dr Judith Moore, GP and senior partner at Newport Health Centre, had her covid jab at the vaccination site in Carisbrooke Road.

See video below.

The Island made history yesterday as it began vaccinating people in what is the biggest immunisation programme in the nation’s history.

Dr Moore said: “I’ve had my Covid vaccine and I feel just fine. I’m actually really excited that we have got going — we scrambled ourselves with ten days' notice to get it all organised.

“We’ve started with vaccinating our over 80s, and it’s just going to mean, that in time, we will get back to our normal lives.

“Unfortunately it’s going to be a number of months before all those who need the vaccine will get it. So we still need to say stay safe, space, face, hands, and all the other sensible measures. We hope this will be the beginning of the end.”

People aged 80 and over as well as care home workers are among the first across Hampshire and the Isle of Wight to start receiving the jab, along with NHS workers who are at higher risk.

As reported yesterday, the first person through the doors on the Island was Second World War veteran Kenneth Killeen, 98, from Newport.

Isle of Wight County Press: Kenneth Killeen, the first person on the Isle of Wight to have a Covid vaccine. Picture by DK Photography.Kenneth Killeen, the first person on the Isle of Wight to have a Covid vaccine. Picture by DK Photography.

All those vaccinated were monitored for 15 minutes in the practice after having the vaccination and will need a booster jab 21 days later.

The latest phase of the vaccine rollout is being co-ordinated by GP-led primary care networks with more practices and community pharmacies in other parts of England joining on a phased basis during December and in the coming months.

The NHS will contact people in the priority groups when it is their turn to receive the vaccine.

People should not contact their surgeries, the vaccination service is available strictly by invitation only.

The Pfizer vaccine needs to be stored at -70C before being thawed out and can only be moved four times within that cold chain before being used.