‘The vaccine can give me back a bit of normality and get me back to the job I love’ – nurse Eileen on having the jab today
It’s been a busy second day in our vaccination hub at Queen’s Hospital, with lots more care home workers and vulnerable frontline healthcare staff receiving the vaccine.
Everyone has their own reasons for having the vaccine, and for Eileen Gook, who works on our medical receiving Unit, it’s about allowing her to get her life back, and do the job she loves again.
The 26-year-old (above) has an autoimmune disease which has meant she’s had to shield during the pandemic.
She said: “It certainly wasn’t nice to not be able to work as I wanted to be here, supporting my colleagues and caring for our patients.
“I’m keen to have the vaccine so it can give me a bit of normality back and I can get back to the job I love. The more people that have it, the better it will be for all of us so I hope everyone will have it when asked. I’m just so excited that getting my life back is now in reach.”
It’s also great timing for Eileen to get back to work, having joined our Trust as a healthcare assistant, she worked her way to become a nursing associate, and has now almost completed her training to qualify as a nurse.
For care home workers, having the jab is all about protecting themselves so they can continue to be there for their vulnerable residents.
Tayvanie Nagendran (above, getting her jab), Manager and Director of Cambridge Nursing Home in Wanstead, said: “It’s great to be getting the jab and I want all my staff and residents to have it. We work with the most vulnerable people in our community so it’s really important to protect ourselves.
“I’ll sleep better knowing I’ve had the jab and that my family and I are safer, especially my mum; I’ve not hugged her all year. It’s been a stressful year with continuous worry for organisations like ours, that’s why I’d encourage people to talk about the jab – if you have any questions, ask someone who knows. I’ll be doing everything I can to answer questions for my team.”
Angela Gibson (above), Director of Quality and Care for Romford Care Homes, said: “I’m proud to have an opportunity early on to have the vaccine. We are encouraging staff and residents to have it as we see it as a preventative measure which will reduce the impact of Covid-19.
“Having the vaccine is really important in my role so I can keep caring for our residents. It’s also in the best interests of protecting myself and my family."
And for Basil Hollington (getting his jab, above), Director of Bennetts Castle Care Home, Dagenham, it will allow him to get back to work after months of isolation. He said: “The most important thing for me is protecting our vulnerable residents, so I haven’t been going into the home during the pandemic as I don’t want to bring any bugs in.
“I’m 69 so I’ve also been isolating. I’ve been very careful as you can’t take any chances, our resident are the most important thing. I’m pleased the vaccine is here so I can get back into the care home.”
Read more about our vaccine hub:
No hesitation as dedicated nurse Margo comes out of retirement to become a Covid-19 vaccinator