Tag Archives: vaccination

Coronavirus vaccinations rolled out across Orkney 

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Coronavirus vaccinations rolled out across Orkney 

By Lucy K

As the coronavirus pandemic continues, there is a chance things will return to normal soon. The vaccines are meeting their targets and Orkney is ahead of the rest of the United Kingdom, offering vaccines to all people over the age of 34. The number of cases in Orkney remains at 74 and the total deaths is 3.

Many people have been affected by the pandemic with one in eight adults (12.9%) developing moderate to severe depression and children suffering with not being able to socialize and see their friends. Now many pupils have started to return to school. 

People’s jobs have been affected by the pandemic. My dad who is self-employed and is in the fire service “My work was affected because the demand (for scallops) has decreased because of lockdown. The way we work at the fire station has also changed due to covid-19 restrictions.”   

My mum said, “I have got to spend more time with my family in my household, but I have not been able to see my mum and my sister.”

In Orkney they have given out different types of the vaccine. My dad who got the AstraZeneca vaccine on the 18th of February said he had an achy arm for the rest of the day. My mum got the Pfizer vaccine on the 21st of March and she said she had a sore arm which felt heavy and was tired. Many people are reacting differently to the vaccine some are unaffected, but some have been throwing up and not been very well. 

Lots of people have different opinions on the vaccine. Some people have said that they trust the vaccine because it is a tried and tested process which has been used to create other vaccines. Others also trust the doctors and scientists who are help keeping people safe.

Others who disagree with the vaccine have come up with many different conspiracy theories but a lot of people who refuse to get vaccinated say that not enough testing has been done and they think it was rushed through.  

The NHS website reassures people that “the vaccines approved for use in the UK have met strict standards of safety, quality and effectiveness set out by the independent Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA).”

“Any coronavirus vaccine that is approved must go through all the clinical trials and safety checks all other licensed medicines go through. The MHRA follows international standards of safety.”

If I am offered the vaccine I will definitely accept the offer and go get it because I think, by getting the vaccine, I would be helping others and helping stop this pandemic.

Vaccine experiences

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Vaccine experiences  

By Ryan 

Many people in Orkney have now had their first dose of the covid vaccine, and some people have had both doses.  I spoke to some people that have had the vaccine and here are some of their experiences.  

The first person asked said that they had the Pfizer vaccine and they said that the felt fine and the only side effect that they had was a sore arm. 

The second person asked said that they have had the AstraZeneca vaccine and they had also said that they were fine at first but a few hours after they were suddenly cold and shivery and couldn’t get out of bed.  They were fine two days after.   

Overall vaccination is a good thing but there will always be side effects and some people are lucky and some people aren’t with the side effects.  

If you would like to know more, there is NHS information about vaccinations at www.nhs.uk/conditions/vaccinations/ 

COVID-19 mass vaccinations in Orkney

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COVID-19 mass vaccinations in Orkney
By Erin

 

In March the Pickaquoy centre held a mass vaccination clinic for 42–64-year-olds over the course of a week. The clinic was in the arena hall. It is believed that this is the largest mass vaccination, run by the NHS, to ever happen in Orkney.

I spoke to my mum and dad, who have both had their vaccine. They both told me they thought the clinic was “well organised and efficient.” My mum went on to say “I was met by marshals in the car park, instructions were clear on where to go in and where to sit down, however I felt that remaining in the same seat in the waiting area would have made more sense and reduce the amount of cleaning needed.” She then went on to say that “in the booth the NHS staff were clear and precise with the questions that were asked and made me feel relaxed while receiving my injection.” My dad thought the same and also “there was ample parking, plenty of room in the arena and there was a one-way system in place.”

After some speculation about supply issues all over the national news they both did get their first dose of the vaccine. Mum said “I wasn’t worried about not getting the vaccine because as a small island I believe I would not have been offered it, had there been any possible shortages at that time.”

My Dad told me some of the symptoms he experienced, “I had a slightly sore arm, a slight headache, sore legs, a slight fever and fatigue.” Although my Mum had fewer symptoms they were just as unpleasant. She told me she had “quite a sore arm and a really sore head.”

The NHS website says: “Most side effects of the COVIV-19 vaccine are mild and should not last longer than a week.”

The total number vaccinated at the mass clinic was 3992, which brings Orkney to an approximate total of 13,800 first doses. A few days after this age group were done, age 34–41-year-olds were welcomed to the clinic as well.

This means that over half of the adults in Orkney have been vaccinated. This contributes to Scotland’s total number of 2.4 million first dose vaccinations against COVID-19.