Living with a chronic lung condition had made living and working through the Covid-19 pandemic a constant worry for nursing associate Nicola Copelin.

So being among the first front line workers in Oxford Health NHS Foundation Trust to have the Covid-19 Vaccine was a ‘monumental moment’.

Nicola Copelin, a nurse associate who works in the award-winning Cotswold House  adult eating disorder inpatient unit at the Warneford Hospital, Oxford,  has had her first jab which is very important to her as she suffers from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

She has worked for Oxford Health for around five years although this must surely be the most difficult.

But now that she has had her first vaccination her fears of becoming ill have been allayed.

She explained: “The relief is huge and I am really grateful to be able to get the vaccine so quickly.

“Having COPD puts me very much at risk if I catch COVID and although I have done some working from home, my job is ward based so I’m really pleased.

“The jab didn’t hurt a bit – it was very much like having a flu jab. And when I went for my jab you could feel the thrill of what was happening. There was a really good atmosphere and the staff at Oxford University Hospitals Trust at the Churchill Hospital were all great.”