"After a year alone, the vaccine means we can be reunited with our family,” says Derbyshire couple

"We’ve had to stay away from our children, and grandchildren, and have had to watch our great-granddaughter’s first year on videos.

"We were so happy to get a phone call last week to invite us for the Covid-19 vaccine.”

Three days later, Ian and his wife Margaret, aged 82, both visited Sharley Park Leisure Centre in Chesterfield for the first dose of the vaccine.

“I admit I was a bit concerned when I saw pictures on TV of people having to queue outside, and felt quite frightened when we got in the car to go, said Ian, of Grassmoor.

"However, when we got there, we drove straight into the car park, and were directed through a door to check-in, and then to a nurse.

"We were back home within 45 minutes.”

Ian and Margaret – who have three children, eight grandchildren, and one great-grandchild – have also received the date for their next dose, on April 2, and reveal they’re excited at the prospect of being reunited with family.

“It’s been such a tough year,” said Ian.

"We celebrated our Diamond Wedding anniversary last March with a family party, just before lockdown, and it was the last time we saw most people.

"Our daughter lives up the road, but we’ve not even been able to see her, apart from waving hello at the door.

"We had a couple of days in the summer, when we went to see our other daughter who lives down south, but otherwise we’ve stayed home.

"We couldn’t wait to have the vaccine, and have had absolutely no side effects.”

Carer Monica Minting, who received the first part of her Covid-19 vaccination last Friday, agreed: "I would recommend the vaccine to anyone.

"My children have been vaccinated against everything over the years, and we've always had travel vaccinations and things, so I had no concerns at all."

63-year-old Monica, who lives with her husband in Bolsover, works as a carer at Stocksbridge Brain Injury Rehabilitation Centre in Sheffield.

She admits she had her concerns working throughout the pandemic, and was relieved to be contacted on January 7 to inform her she would be receiving the vaccine on January 8.

"I was invited to a GP surgery near where I work in Sheffield for the vaccine," she said.

"I got there for 4pm, and by 4.30pm I was on my way home - and that includes the 15 minutes they ask you to wait around afterwards to ensure you're feeling alright.

"It was all done very efficiently, and the vaccine didn't hurt at all, I didn't feel a thing."

And Monica says that besides a headache and a slightly bruised-feeling arm the next day, she experienced no other side effects.

"I was told they'd be in touch when I was due the second dose, so now I just wait," said the mum-of-two.

"I know I'll feel much easier being at work once I have had both parts of the vaccine. 2020 was tough, and being a bit older, I definitely felt vulnerable at times, so I'm really pleased.

"I would recommend anybody who's eligible to get it when it's offered."