A couple cooped up in their home for the best part of a year could not hide their delight and relief after being given the first dose of their coronavirus vaccine.
Maria Waller and her husband Phil were among the first people people to pass through the doors at new Covid vaccination centre at Asda in Watford.
The couple had travelled from Berkhamsted for the vaccine after Mr Waller received an invitation letter from the NHS.
And as they sat in the observation room for 15 minutes after their jabs on Thursday, the couple, who were among two million people told to shield during the first lockdown, seemed over the moon not only by receiving the jab but also their experience in getting it.
Phil and Maria Waller in the observation room at the Asda vaccination centre after each receiving their first dose of the Oxford Astra-Zeneca vaccine
Mrs Waller, 69, was a little apprehensive about the visit because she had taken someone to another vaccination centre which she said had been “chaos”.
But that certainly was not the case at Asda.
Speaking about her own vaccination experience in Watford, Mrs Waller said: "It was very well organised and fast, and they were so efficient. I never even felt the jab.
"We couldn’t fault the service."
Initially, Mr Waller, 74, had been invited for a vaccination, with the NHS subsequently offering his wife an opportunity to have the jab now as well.
Another patient receives the Covid jab from a trained member of Asda's pharmacy team. Credit: Asda
Barry Godfrey was another person to receive the Covid vaccine at Asda on Thursday. He didn’t need to travel as far as the Waller’s, having come from North Watford, and he was also impressed by his experience.
The 72-year-old said: "It was very quick and efficient. It’s been brilliant. I just wanted to get the vaccine and I’d say to others 'go and get it done' when offered the chance."
He has already booked himself in for his second dose.
Barry Godfrey in the observation room
Pharmacy manager Baba Olatawura said there had been a "really positive response" from patients who have visited the vaccination centre, which is capable of jabbing up to 500 people a day, dependant on supply of the Oxford Astra-Zeneca vaccine.
The vaccination centre has been set up in a section of the George clothing section, with a reception area, waiting room, 12 vaccination pods, and an observation room set up, all overseen by volunteers and fully trained members of Asda pharmacy staff.
Staff told us anyone visiting the centre for a jab with a booking should be in and out within 30 minutes.
Read more: What a visit to the Covid vaccination centre at Asda Watford is like
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