A 92-YEAR-OLD woman from Tarvin has become the first patient in Cheshire to receive the Covid-19 vaccine following its clinical approval.

Mona Thomas was given the life-saving Pfizer Covid-19 jab at the Countess of Chester Hospital this morning.

"I am very pleased," Mona said. "Everybody has been so kind."

The Countess of Chester Hospital Trust said: "Mona Thomas, 92, from Tarvin, was the first patient to receive the COVID-19 vaccine in Cheshire this morning.

"Mona was due to come to the hospital for an early appointment and jumped at the chance to have the vaccine."

The trust added: "Our vaccination team in Outpatients 1 (pictured below) are doing a fantastic job administering the first COVID-19 vaccines in Cheshire. We are so proud of them."

Chester and District Standard: The Countess of Chester Hospital team delivering the vaccine.The Countess of Chester Hospital team delivering the vaccine.

Vaccination Lead Amanda Woodard, who administered the first vaccine today, said: "It's an historic day and we feel very privileged to be giving out some of the first vaccinations."

Rathnam Viswanathan, 86, was the second person to be vaccinated against coronavirus at the Countess this morning.

He explained that, as someone who is at higher risk from Covid-19 due to his age, gender and ethnicity, he was especially pleased to be offered the vaccine today.

Chester and District Standard:

Dr Susan Gilby, CoCH chief executive, said yesterday: "I’m full of optimism for tomorrow (December 8).

"It’s the beginning of the end to this pandemic. We may be amongst the first with the privilege of administering the vaccine but the prize will be the shared learning and the worldwide roll out. Thanks to an amazing team."