We are all Covid vaccine converts

OMICRON continues to spread across the country, but some people are still reluctant to get the Covid booster jab; others have yet to receive their first two doses.

Here, three people who were hesitant to get the vaccine share why they decided to roll up their sleeves and do their part.

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Kate Featherstone-Coombes, 29, from Winchester, was unsure about getting vaccinated while pregnant with her now six-month-old baby.

“In February 2021, I was pregnant and the vaccine rollout began. Even as a student midwife, I was worried about my first injection. I was really torn and it was scary.

“In the hospital we saw more and more poorly pregnant women coming in with Covid, and I didn't want that to be the case.

“My partner Joss, 31, was in favor of vaccination – no wonder when we had spent so long protecting him because he had Crohn's disease. But it was a volunteer at the vaccination center where I helped who waved it for me.

“She pointed out that people had the same concerns about the flu shot when it arrived. I get vaccinated against the flu every year, so why should this be any different?

“After twenty weeks I received my first dose of Pfizer. As more studies confirmed the vaccine was safe, there was no discussion about getting my second shot in May. I had to protect myself, the people around me and my baby.

“All the pregnant women I spoke to felt the same way. Pandora was born full-term and healthy in July, weighing just over 10 pounds – a sister to her brother Oswald, three.

“I am now on maternity leave and running Parent Kind, my parent coaching business.

“When a pregnant woman asks me if she wants to be vaccinated, I tell her: it is their choice, but they and their baby are much safer with the vaccine than without.”

'I was worried about my immune system'

The possible side effects of having a Covid-19 vaccine were nagging at the mind of Daniel Chowdhury, 38, a communications specialist in south-east London.

In a nasty accident during the first lockdown, in May 2020, Daniel fell off his bike.

Stuck indoors with a broken ankle, Daniel says: “I only really left my flat for medical appointments, so I'd gotten quite used to lockdown life.”

Then the Covid vaccines arrived. “The dilemma arose when I became eligible for my vaccine because I was going to get a steroid injection in my ankle. So I didn't want the shot because of possible side effects on my immune system.”

But as the weeks passed, he began to feel more comfortable getting the vaccination, as many of his friends and family members had received theirs with only mild side effects. He was a convert.

“Getting the booster jab increases antibody levels, giving you the best possible chance of successfully fighting the infection if you come into contact with the virus,” says Daniel.

“It is very important that we can all return to our daily way of life more quickly. Making sure you are fully vaccinated is as safe as it can be.”

'I thought it was only for older people'

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Callum Tokody, 18, is a student in West London. As far as he was concerned, younger people did not need the shot. Then he got sick.

With a hectic schedule of school, social life and extracurricular activities, Callum felt like he had more important things to do than get his Covid jab.

He says: “I didn't think I needed the vaccine because only a few of my friends had been vaccinated, and I initially thought the coronavirus only affected older people.”

He added: “I heard stories on social media of people reacting terribly to the vaccine, so at first I didn't want to get it.” That was until he caught Covid himself.

Then he started thinking about the shot again. After all, his mother had been vaccinated without any significant side effects. It was time to talk to herself.

Callum said: “When I became unwell it was a sign that I should get the vaccine. Once I recovered, it didn't take long to get an appointment and I felt great afterwards.

“I have had all my vaccinations since then. My friends have that too. People need to get a boost because it protects you and everyone else too.

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Go to nhs.uk/covid-vaccination to make an appointment or find a local walk-in vaccination center

Scotland nhsinform.scot/covid-19-vaccine

Wales gov.wales/get-your-covid-19-vaccination

Northern Ireland covid-19.hscni.net/get-vaccinated