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I remember most people I vaccinate: they are so joyful
Gabriella Kountourides says she has taken joy from giving the vaccine to those who need it most
February 19, 2021 14:46
Gabriella Kountourides says she has taken joy from giving the vaccine to those who need it most
February 19, 2021 14:46Trained vaccine volunteer Gabriella Kountourides said she remembers most of the 50 or so people she’s given the jab to.
Their joy and excitement — not just at getting the vaccine, but at being given the opportunity to have a chat — has made a lasting impression on her.
Ms Kountourides, a Jewish PhD student from Edgware, who was herself vaccinated in January, completed her first shift in Wembley last month after a rigorous recruitment process that involved a virtual interview and hours of in-person and online training.
But she says she has taken joy from giving the vaccine to those who need it most. One recipient, an older woman who “seemed a bit nervous”, revealed that she hadn’t spoken to anyone in person in almost a year, she said.
“It was quite emotional really. I wasn’t in a particular rush because it wasn’t packed that day. I took my time and gave her the vaccine and we were just chatting. It was really cute actually.”
She added: “It’s really lovely to see and speak to people. But also, people coming in at the moment tend to be over-70s or healthcare workers. A lot of them have said to me, ‘You’re the first person I’ve spoken to since March last year.’ Some of them were elderly and it was hard to understand them, or they couldn’t understand me through the mask. It was really nice to be able to talk to people.”
The 28-year-old said she had “felt really safe” during her shifts. “We were covered in PPE. There was really rigorous health and safety stuff,” she said. She urged all those offered the jab to accept it. “There’s nothing to worry about,” she said.
Jeremy Dubbay, 58, helps manage queues into Bounds Green’s vaccination centre on Sundays and has already completed three shifts in the last month.
The Mill Hill resident, who works as a partner at a law firm, said his son, Benjamin, 27, volunteered to be a vaccinator and is going through the extensive training process.
He said: “On a selfish basis, I’ve been working at home for the last nine months and spending all my time on Zoom and Teams talking to people.
“It’s great to actually be there chatting to real people.”