Aminah from Gateshead
Aminah is a year 10 student and lives in the North East with her mum, dad and two older siblings. As a teenager, she’s received two vaccines and admits initially she was nervous and had questions as she is asthmatic but was made to feel at ease after speaking with her consultant. Now she is encouraging others with questions to read official NHS information or speak to their local GP.
“Both my mum and I had questions about the vaccine because of my asthma. I was diagnosed with asthma when I was 2 years old and I also live with various other allergies. From a young age my parents have encouraged my siblings and I to ask questions and have debates. The vaccine was no different.
“My mum was particularly nervous. She didn’t want me to get ill and at the time of the vaccine rollout for young people an article was published about two nurses with allergies who had gone into anaphylactic shock because of the vaccine.
“I’m very lucky in the fact that I have annual check-ins with a pediatrician who has been monitoring my asthma and allergies since I was a child. It was really important to me and my mum that we were able to have a conversation about the vaccine in a comfortable environment and in the context of my personal medical history.
“We talked through all of our questions with my pediatrician and he really helped to put us both at ease by answering each of our concerns. It was a pivotal conversion that put both myself and my mum’s mind at ease. Now I’ve received both my first and second vaccines and I’m happy to receive the booster when it’s my turn.
“There are some in our wider family who are skeptical about the vaccine. It is the same when I look on social media and talk to friends at school. Everyone has questions or concerns and that’s ok. Having conversations about Covid is key. I would advise everyone to get in touch with their local GP for a chat.
“If anyone is looking for answers online or on social media, I’d urge them to look for trusted sources of information like the NHS website. There’s so much out there on Covid, especially on What’s App and social media sites, and you can’t trust everything online. It’s best to fact check.
“I feel as the younger generation, we’re very outspoken. It should be no different when it comes to Covid. If you have any questions, the NHS and your GP are there to help. I can’t thank my pediatrician enough. Now I feel confident, safe and know I’m doing my bit to protect both my own and other people’s health.”
George from Sunderland
George, 20, from Crete lives in Sunderland and is in the third year of his web and mobile development degree at the University of Sunderland. George initially didn’t feel he needed the vaccine in 2021. International travel was unclear and he was mainly studying and carrying out his duties as an international officer at the Students Union virtually. However, that changed when he could travel home and university life started to get back ‘to normal’.
George says:
“When I found out I was eligible to receive my first Covid vaccine in June 2021 I was unsure about travelling back home. Plus, I wasn’t really seeing anyone or going out at the time so I didn’t feel the urgency to get vaccinated.
“I also would have preferred the vaccine to have been tested for longer. I had some questions and wanted to take some time before I made my decision.
“It was a few weeks later when I decided to get my first jab. I just came to the decision that, as soon as I could, I wanted to travel home to visit my family in Crete.
“The jab was a super quick and easy process. I felt totally fine afterwards.
“I’m glad I took the time to think about what I wanted. A vaccine passport seemed to me a likely eventuality and so, I thought this is the best way to travel and protect myself and others.
“Several members of my family are key workers and my grandparents are vulnerable. They’re all up-to-date with their vaccines but I also wanted to do my bit.
“Thankfully after my second jab in August 2021, I was able to travel to Crete. It was amazing to see everyone again.
“I felt safe when travelling. It was a huge weight off my mind, especially when visiting my grandparents. Without it, I couldn’t have seen them.
“I did feel yucky the day after getting my second dose: headache, body aches, fatigue. But these mild symptoms are common after many immunizations. I just worked from home and took painkillers and was fine in a few hours.
“In January 2022, I got my booster jab and the next day I got Covid. My symptoms, a high temperature and headaches, only lasted for one day. Although I still tested positive for the rest of the week I felt fine. Without the vaccine, I wouldn’t have had such mild symptoms.
“I’m thankful the vaccine has allowed me to travel safely, protect my family as well as friends and fellow students at university and has prevented me from becoming seriously ill.
“I would recommend everyone to go and do it! It is a straightforward and fast process and we must all continue to do our bit to protect ourselves and others as we learn to live with Covid.”
James from Middlesbrough
James lives in Middlesbrough and is a HGV fabricator. He lives with his wife, Danielle, two sons Lennon and Logan and stepson Harvey. James has only recently had his first Covid vaccine as, although he’s always felt it’s completely safe and effective, he just never thought it was something he needed to get. However, that changed when his nine-year-old son, Logan, was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes and, as a result, is now highly vulnerable to becoming seriously ill from Covid.
“I have never been anti-vaccine and certainly never believed the conspiracy stories that are all over social media about the Covid jab but until recently I was unvaccinated. Whilst I think the vaccine has saved lives and been the key difference between staying in repeated lockdowns to moving away from that phase of the pandemic, I just never thought I, personally, needed the jab.
“This all changed however when, out of the blue, our nine-year-old son, Logan, was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes. When we were in hospital finding out why he had been so poorly and once diagnosed, organising his medical care that he will need for the rest of his life, the nurse asked me and my wife if we were vaccinated.
“When we told her we weren’t she explained that Logan is now much more vulnerable to becoming seriously ill from Covid. She went on to explain that by getting jabbed, we could help reduce his chances of catching the virus.
“As a parent, you would do anything to protect your children so, it goes without saying, we arranged to get our first Covid jab as soon as we could. It was really easy actually; we just went to a bus that was stationed outside our local Morrisons as part of the government’s latest vaccination drive. I was in and out in 10 minutes and just had to sit and wait for 15 minutes before driving home.
“I fully intend to get the second jab too when I am able to as I know you need to wait 12 weeks after your first dose. Despite only just getting my first jab now, I have always fully believed the science behind the jab.
“For many people, getting the Covid vaccine is about protecting their own health. For me, however, it’s 100% been about protecting the health, and life, of my son.
“With Covid set to be an ongoing virus, both myself and my wife simply couldn’t take the chance year after year, given his diabetes puts him at a much greater risk of being seriously poorly from Covid.
“Getting jabbed is the best action we can take to help ensure he stays fit and well, as we all adjust to living with his diabetes. It also gives us the reassurance that we have taken all the steps we can to protect Logan.
“Before Logan’s diagnosis, I never thought about getting the Covid jab to protect someone else, but I now completely understand how important it is in protecting not just yourself but others too. You might be lucky and able to fight off Covid if you catch it, but others might not be so fortunate. That’s why I think we all need to do our bit. Get jabbed and help protect your loved ones. It’s the right thing to do.”
Marina from Sunderland
Marina, 24, from Greece lives in Sunderland and is in the second year of her biomedical science degree at the University of Sunderland. Marina was concerned about getting the vaccine when her mum suffered serious side effects following her first jab. However, after talking with her family to weigh up the risks she decided getting vaccinated was the best way to protect herself and her loved ones.
“Last summer I went to visit my family in Greece. At the time I was unsure about getting the Covid vaccine. Then my mum experienced serious side effects after her first jab and my uncertainty soon turned to worry.
“It was a tough time but after talking to my mum and wider family I came to realise that although she had experienced side effects, the long-term protection the vaccine provides for me outweighs the risks. It was the best way to protect myself and help look after my family.
“So while in Greece I got my first and second jabs.
“I love to travel and was set on returning to the UK to continue my studies in Sunderland. For me, the vaccine not only helps to protect myself and others but also allows me to enjoy my freedom once again.
“When I returned to the UK I applied to become an NHS volunteer to help with the vaccine roll out. Alongside my degree, I am passionate about getting hands-on experience with patients.
“For several months I supported different vaccination clinics welcoming and guiding people when they arrived for their vaccine. It was during this time I got my booster.
“Helping others either anxious about the vaccine or nervous about getting it is an experience I’ll always remember. I’m proud to have been a part of the vaccine roll-out.
“It is everyone’s personal choice if they get the vaccine. I’d encourage those on the fence to speak with friends, family and their GP to make an informed decision. If you have questions, concerns or worries, that’s okay. It’s important to ask the important questions so you can decide what’s best for you.”