Vaccinations in Portsmouth: Grandfather becomes first person to have Covid-19 jab at St James' Hospital

Portchester resident Peter Missing, 72, became the first person to be vaccinated at the St James’ Hospital site in Milton this morning, at the site run by Solent NHS Trust.

Peter said: ‘It’s gone pretty well - it’s well organised.

‘It’s a huge relief, I’ve had to keep pretty well away from everyone over the last 10 months.

‘I’ve had to cancel a few holidays. My wife and I were due to go on a cruise around the Baltic in June.’

The grandfather of 10 added: ‘And I’m looking forward to seeing my family. I miss my grandkids more than anything. I last saw them in February.’

Regarding the vaccine, he said: ‘I can’t encourage people to get it enough - let’s get it done. It’s strange - I was a little bit nervous getting it done. I think it was the feeling of relief.’

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With more than 1,000 people due to be vaccinated across the day, it was an ‘amazing’ feeling to see people receive their first jabs, according to Stephanie Clark, operational manager for the vaccine rollout across Portsmouth.

The senior nurse said: ‘It’s been the most challenging 12 months of my career. But I have found the teams have really pulled together.

‘The rollercoaster of emotion has been there for everyone.’