Doncaster great gran, 94, says people turning down Covid vaccine are 'very silly' after jab

Joyce Dowd, 94, was among the first wave of Doncaster pensioners to receive the vaccination yesterday – meaning she will soon be able to see her great-great grandchild, who was born during the pandemic, for the first time.

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She has another great-great grandchild – her fourth – due in February.

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But Mrs Dowd, who lives in Hexthorpe, said she will not see the infants until she is sure it is safe.

“I’ll see them when times are good,” she said.

“I’d rather them be safe and keep away because it’s asking for trouble, isn’t it. You’ve got to think safety-wise because it’s no good if you don’t.”

Mrs Dowd said she felt fine after having the jab at around 8am on Wednesday.

She said: “It feels a little bit stiff but it doesn’t hurt. There’s no worries to it. If people don’t have it done, they’re being very silly. At our age you can pick anything up.”

Mrs Dowd lives by herself and was brought to the centre, which is just outside Doncaster town centre, by one of her neighbours.

She said she has one daughter, four grandchildren, eight great-grandchildren and three great-great grandchildren, but has decided not to mix with her family at Christmas.

“I’d rather them be safe and keep away because it’s asking for trouble,” she said.

Mrs Dowd said she is looking forward to when the family can get together, but added: “I hope they don’t all come at once.”

Dr Kate Mansfield, who is a GP at the Scott Practice in Doncaster and the clinical director of Doncaster Central Primary Care Network, said: “It’s been a bit of a crazy week. It’s been amazing to see just how hard everybody’s been working. I’m just so proud to be part of it, just seeing how dedicated everybody is.

“The hours and hard work that people have been putting in to get this going is unbelievable.

“They all seem very keen and excited and pleased that they’re in that first batch. It’s an exciting day, it really is.”

In these confusing and worrying times, local journalism is more vital than ever. Thanks to everyone who helps us ask the questions that matter by taking out a subscription or buying a paper. We stand together. Nancy Fielder, editor.