A doctor at Boston Pilgrim hospital became the first person in Lincolnshire to receive the Oxford-AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine on Tuesday.
The Oxford vaccine was approved for use from Monday, January 4 with 82-year-old Brian Pinker the first to receive it at the Churchill Hospital in Oxford that day.
United Lincolnshire Hospitals NHS Trust is among the first trusts in the country to be offered this vaccination and nurse Rachel Carritt gave the jab to Dr Mi Joo Choi, who works in Intensive Care Unit in Boston, on Tuesday, January 5.
Dr Choi told the BBC: “I’m very honoured. I’m very grateful. I was not expecting it actually.
“I would just like to say thank you to everyone who has worked extremely hard to get this vaccine available for us.”
Over 7,000 doses of the vaccine are expected to arrive at GP surgeries across the county this week, on top of more than 6,000 Pfizer vaccines administered in Lincolnshire so far.
Staff from across the Northern Lincolnshire and Goole NHS Foundation Trust who received the first dose of the Pfizer vaccine included safeguarding nurse Richard Painter, a maintenance team leader, a consultant and a married couple.
Safeguarding nurse Richard Painter receiving his COVID-19 vaccine at Scunthorpe General Hospital. | Photo: NLaG
Safeguarding nurse Richard, 54, who lives in South Cave, said: “I feel quite emotional about having the vaccine, I had a kidney transplant five years ago and the medication I take dampens my immune system.
“Today (Tuesday) is massive for me as COVID-19 has the potential to kill me or make me seriously ill. I feel very lucky to have it so soon.”
Married couple Vicky Kocheril-Johny and James Duthrie have worked at Scunthorpe General Hospital for 16 years. | Photo: NLaG
Deputy outpatients manager, Vicky Kocheril-Johny and her husband, medical laboratory assistant James Duthrie, both aged 56, have worked at the hospital for 16 years and were also given the vaccine on January 5.
Vicky said: “I am so humbled to be one of the first at the trust to receive the vaccine. I feel privileged and hope many others can have theirs as soon as possible.
“The pandemic made 2020 difficult for so many, but I am hopeful the approved vaccines will bring our community and the country some normality by spring time.”
James Duthie, medical laboratory assistant at Scunthorpe General Hospital, receiving his COVID-19 vaccine. | Photo: NLaG
James added: “It is incredible to have my vaccine and be part of this ground-breaking achievement. I work in one of the laboratories and part of my role includes testing COVID-19 samples, so I am extremely pleased to receive my vaccine.”
Scunthorpe NHS couple Vicky Kocheril-John and James Duthie. | Photo: NLaG
Peter Reading, chief executive at NLaG, said: “We are proud to be playing our part in the national effort to protect people from this virus, however, we cannot let our guard down now and even those who have received a vaccine still need to follow the guidance around social distancing and hand hygiene.”
The Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation recommend that priority is given to frontline staff “at high risk of acquiring infection, at high individual risk of developing serious disease, or at risk of transmitting infection to multiple vulnerable persons or other staff in a healthcare environment.”
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We are appealing for witnesses and dashcam footage after a collision caused serious injuries to a 23-year-old man.
Just before 3.30pm yesterday (2 July), we received reports of a collision on Barholm Road in Tallington. It involved a grey BMW 335D estate, a blue BMW 116D and an orange KTM motorcycle.
The motorcycle rider, a 23-year-old man, sustained serious injuries during the collision and was taken to hospital.
If you witnessed the incident and are yet to get in touch with us, please do so. If you have any other information or dashcam footage available that may have captured the road along the A1175 at the time of the collision, get in touch.
By calling 101 quoting incident 282 of 2 July.
By emailing [email protected] quoting incident 282 of 2 July in the subject line.
If you wish to remain anonymous, you can report via the independent charity CrimeStoppers on 0800 555 111 or online.
The 2022 Destination Lincolnshire Tourism Excellence Awards are open for applications, and Destination Lincolnshire giving you the rare chance to co-create your application with Nell Barrington, a tourism awards veteran, who has helped hundreds of businesses write winning applications over the last 15 years – including national VisitEngland winners.
The Tourism Awards Masterclass is taking place on Tuesday 12 July at 11am for one-hour online. Laura Freer, Head of Marketing at Destination Lincolnshire said: “This is a golden opportunity, after years of hard work and heartache, to get your business and team recognised and rewarded.
“A well written application is key to achieving a coveted place on this year’s shortlist, and I’d encourage all tourism and visitor economy businesses who are thinking of entering – whether they are seasoned at writing award applications or not – to join us for this exclusive masterclass.
“Nell Barrington has worked with us and VisitEngland on the founding application processes of these awards, and she is perfectly placed to assist in co-creating applications that you can be proud of. This is a great opportunity for business development too – whether you are shortlisted for an award or not – discovering how to effectively apply for awards and talk up your business adds another string to your bow.
“Booking is essential and places are limited to just 35 – so be quick! This year we’ve made our masterclass available to partners and also to those who we are yet to work with for free. Call it an added bonus, after two years away from the awards circuit.
The awards masterclass is focussed on the application process, and it will spell out what the judges are looking for. You’ll learn how to make your application stand out from the local competition, helping your chances of going through to the national VisitEngland Awards in 2023.”
There are fifteen categories open for nominations from visitors attraction, accommodation providers, hospitality businesses and many more.
The deadline for nominations is July 29, with online judging starting on July 30 and mystery shopping from August 13. Finalists will be announced on Monday, August 15.
The awards ceremony will be held at the Engine Shed on October 21, and will be hosted by Lincs FM presenter, John Marshall.
The event is organised by Stonebow Media, publishers of The Lincolnite, to celebrate the best businesses in Greater Lincolnshire, alongside headline sponsors Lincoln College and Destination Lincolnshire.
We would also like to thank our other sponsors Visit Lincolnshire, Heart of Lincs, Duncan and Toplis and LNER, insight6 and EV Camel.
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