AN 85-year-old great grandmother who has not left her home since March because she suffers with a lung condition and has been shielding is concerned that she has not yet received the vaccine for Covid-19.

Patricia Gray suffers with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) which is a type of obstructive lung disease causing long-term breathing problems and poor airflow, which would make her particularly vulnerable if she caught Covid-19.

The pensioner, from Brighton Hill, is worried that many of her friends of a similar age in other areas have already had the vaccine, but she has not yet been given a date for her first dose.

The mother-of-three and grandmother-of-six has not left her home since March for fear of catching Covid.

She said: “I am 85 and vulnerable as I have COPD and macular degeneration. I have heard from friends and relatives as far apart as Glasgow, Basildon, Southampton and Newcastle that they were due their second dose in December.”

Patricia, who was asked to shield during the pandemic, is concerned that there is a delay in issuing the vaccine in Basingstoke, with staff at her surgery – Gillies – unable to advise her when she might receive the first dose.

“I think there’s some sort of postcode lottery going on,” she said, adding: “The surgeries aren’t being informed so they can pass the information on. They said it’s down to NHS England. I do understand there are a lot of us over 80 but why is it possible to roll it out in some parts of the country and not others?”

Patricia, who lives with one of her sons and grandson, is hopeful that having the vaccine will give her some freedom later in the year, as she has been unable to see her four-month-old great grandson, as well as other family during the pandemic.

However, the retired executive officer’s main concern is that there could be a delay in people having the vaccine in Basingstoke, and said: “The priority should be frontline workers. I’m not complaining because I haven’t had it but because there might be others such as doctors or care workers in Basingstoke who should have had it.

"I’ve had my life; I want the young people to have their future and any delay in the vaccine being administered won’t bring that.”

According the online Covid vaccine calculator, Patricia should expect to receive her first dose between January 9 and February 5.

Dr Tim Cooper, GP, and vaccination lead for north and mid Hampshire, said: “The vaccination programme is now well underway, and I know that primary care staff have been extremely, and rightly, proud of the part they are playing in the huge effort to protect local people against Covid-19.

“In time a vaccine will be available for everyone, but at the moment the clear priority – nationally and for us – is to focus on the most vulnerable first.

“I absolutely understand that many people are keen to get vaccinated, and that some people are frustrated not to have been invited for the jab yet.

“It is important to reassure everyone that your practice will be in touch with you when it is your turn – this will be more of a marathon than a sprint, but we will reach everyone as soon as we can.

"Please do not contact your practice to ask for a vaccination appointment – none of us are holding reserve stocks of the vaccine and so we cannot simply add in extra appointments. Calling or messaging the practice will not get you an appointment more quickly, but it will take staff away from their other work.

“And please remember, while you wait for your invitation, that the fundamentals still matter as much as ever – abide by the lockdown rules, wash your hands, cover your face, and give other people space.”

Do you think you should have had the vaccine but haven’t? Get in touch by emailing Emily.roberts@newsdesk.co.uk.