A 108-YEAR-OLD woman who lived through the Spanish Flu Pandemic received her Covid-19 vaccine yesterday in Abbeyrose Court Care Home.

Mary Owen, who lives at Abbey Rose Court care home, in Haydock served as a Grey Owl with the Brownies until she was 95.

After living through the 1919 Spanish Flu pandemic, she was happy to receive her Covid-19 vaccine yesterday, Thursday, January 14 alongside other residents.

Quote from Dr Hilary Flett, GP and vaccination programme clinical lead for St Helens said: "This week has been an amazing experience and by the end of Friday our GPs and primary care staff will have completed vaccinations of residents and staff (around 800 residents and 400 staff) in all but three of our care homes of older people - these are outstanding due sadly to Covid outbreaks but these will be done hopefully by next week.

"For every 20 residents we vaccinate in a care home we save one life.

St Helens Star:

“Next week and the following week we are going into the community and vaccinating all our housebound patients. GP practices will be contacting housebound patients and their carers to support practice staff in delivering this.

“We also intend on completing the over 80s, starting next week and finishing the following week after a long wait for confirmation of a vaccine supply. GP practices will be sending a text message to patients who have provided a mobile phone number or contacting them directly by phone if not to make your appointment. If you receive a text message you will be able to simply follow the link and book your appointment. If you do not have a mobile phone your GP practice will contact you. If you are a carer for a vulnerable elderly relative, please advise your GP practice on the best way to ensure your family member can be contacted and the appointment made for them.

“Please bear with us. It is a mammoth task to contact over 4,000 people, in a few days, so thank you for your patience; you will be receiving a text or call over the next few days and you will be offered a vaccination appointment at the GP-led vaccination clinic at Saints. We look forward to seeing you there.”