Lilian Faithfull Care residents are some of the first to receive second Covid vaccination

Care home residents at Lilian Faithfull Care’s Faithfull House in Cheltenham are among the first to receive a full dose of the Pfizer Covid-19 vaccine.

Residents received their second dose of the vaccine on Friday 5 March 2021, making them some of the first people in the country to have maximum protection from Coronavirus.

Faithfull House was one of the first six care homes in England to be offered the Pfizer vaccine in December 2020, as part of an NHS pilot programme ahead of its rollout to all care homes.

It is now making history again as one of the first care homes to give residents the all-important second dose of the vaccine – with Lilian Faithfull Care thanking the ‘incredible efforts’ of local GP surgeries that have led to 97 per cent of residents having been offered and received the vaccination.

Lilian Faithfull Care also recently announced that its care homes and day care hubs across Gloucestershire would reopen to visitors on Monday 8 March 2021, allowing residents to see a loved one face to face and, crucially, hold their hand for the first time in months.

Deputy manager and clinical lead at Faithfull House, James Mitchell, said: ‘Everyone is excited not only to have the vaccination but with the possibility of being able to lift restrictions even further as the advice changes.

‘Something so simple as holding someone’s hand has such as massive impact on someone’s mental well-being. For our residents to be able to have that is so important. That really is one of the most exciting things for us… to be able to bring that personalised element back.’

Martin Hughes, chief executive of Lilian Faithfull Care, said: ‘These announcements are major steps forward in Lilian Faithfull Care’s journey through the pandemic. It not only renews hope but also offers tangible improvements for so many.’

‘Throughout this time we have been able to continue to safely welcome new residents and we are delighted that we can now welcome visitors back into our homes and hubs. The charity is one of the safest places to live and work in the county and together we look forward to a brighter 2021.’