Josephine Faleye having her injection on Tuesday

A GRANDMOTHER has become the first patient at the Royal Free to receive the Covid vaccine.

The 80-year-old Josephine Faleye had the first of two Pfizer jabs at the Hampstead hospital this morning (Tuesday).

She said that, after the follow up dose in three weeks time, it meant she would be allowed to visit and hug her four grandchildren again his Christmas.

Ms Faleye said: “I’m happy to have it and I hope that if people see me having it at the age of 80, it will encourage them to have it too. I am excited to be the first person at this hospital to be vaccinated against Covid-19.

“During the first wave, I didn’t see my children and grandchildren properly for about six months so it’s been a difficult year. I’m really looking forward to being able to hug my grandchildren again.”

Ms Faleye has been self-isolating for most of this year but is planning on spending Christmas with a small family bubble.

Batches of the vaccine arrived at the hospital this morning with the first doses given to over-80 year old patients before they are discharged and also to outpatients before surgery.

NHS staff working in the most high risk areas will also be offered the vaccine this week.

Care home providers are also being asked to begin booking staff in to vaccination clinics.

GPs are also expected to be able to begin vaccinating care home residents last this month.

The hospital’s chief nurse Julie Hamilton said: “We are all proud to be a part of this historic moment. It will take some months to complete our vaccination programme so in the meantime we must all remember to continue to be vigilant with infection prevention guidelines.”

The Pfizer vaccine is delivered by a simple injection in the shoulder and must be stored at -70C.

Patients must go for a follow up infection three weeks after the initial injection.