Castleford care home is one of the first in the country to complete second Covid vaccination

Barbara Mills, 89, had a smile reaching from ear to ear as she received her second jab.

Newfield Lodge, on Brookfield Avenue, is one of the first care homes to complete the two-part Covid-19 vaccination process as nearly 100 residents and staff received their second dose of the Pfizer/BioNtech jab on Friday.

As with their first vaccination, the care team arranged for each resident to pair up with a staff member whilst having their injections in order to support one another through the vaccination process. In return, many of the residents insisted on holding their care teams’ hands to provide comforting moral support too.

Registered nurses from Healthcare First in Partnership Pinfold Surgery attended the home and carried out the vaccinations quickly and efficiently. After completing the vaccinations, staff and residents clapped, cheered and proudly waved goodbye to the vaccination team as a mark of their gratitude.

The Vaccination Team from Healthcare First in Partnership with Pinfold Surgery received an emotional honorary clap on as they waved goodbye to the Newfield care home.

The nurses were overwhelmed with emotion by the touching gesture that marks a hugely positive step against the fight against coronavirus.

In early January, management at Newfield Lodge had pre-empted the essential administrative processes and were ready to go with all the paperwork arranged.

The news of the second vaccine being administered ahead of new visitation rules has delighted resident’s families and friends who are looking forward to safely resuming some physical contact with their loved ones once more.

Resident, Barbara Mills, 89, who has lived at Newfield Lodge since January 2018, said: "I feel incredibly privileged to be among the first care home residents to receive the second dose of the Pfizer Jab.

"I never felt the needle go in for my first injection and my second dose was just the same – I urge anyone who is able to go out and get their vaccine to do so - it is very quick and will help us to fight this horrible virus!"

General Manager, Lynn Robinson, who was delighted to welcome the vaccination team once more, said: "The pandemic has been a real challenge for everyone, but after completing the second part of the vaccination process it feels like a huge weight has been lifted.

"The atmosphere in the home this morning whilst we received our vaccine was electric and everyone rallied together to support one another which was lovely to see."