'She did a little jig in the kitchen': 100-year-old Leeds great grandmother Margaret Marshall to get coronavirus vaccine after anxious wait

Margaret Marshall, from Roundhay, has been contacted by the NHS informing her that she is to receive the potentially life-saving jab.

The YEP reported on Tuesday (January 12) how Mrs Marshall's relatives were frustrated at not being able to get answers as to when she would receive it despite 40,000 people in the city already being vaccinated.

Mrs Marshall's son, Andrew, said his mum has now received confirmation that she will get the vaccine at Alwoodley Medical Centre today (Thursday).

He said: "She was absolutely delighted to hear news.

"She is recovering from knee surgery but still managed to do a little jig in the kitchen because she was so overjoyed."

Mrs Marshall celebrated her 100th birthday last May.

She served the city as an ambulance driver during World War Two and has been a popular community champion in Roundhay for many decades.

She was transport manager for the Women’s Royal Voluntary Service over a number of years.

The widow was also a volunteer for meals on wheels for the elderly.

Andrew added: "After she has spent so long shielding, it gives us all real peace of mind to know that in a few weeks she will be much safer.

"She has carers who go into her home to help but she is still having to keep her distance.

"Hopefully soon she will be able to interact with them more and feel a bit more human."

Dr Jonny Hobman, GP partner at Mrs Marshall's local surgery, Street Lane Practice, in Roundhay, said: "I was saddened to read of the distress that Mrs Marshall and her family are experiencing whilst waiting for her COVID vaccination.

"The cold hard truth is that we can't vaccinate patients without a vaccine.

"As GPs the health of our patients is paramount and it's been incredibly frustrating for us not to be able to vaccinate our patients more quickly.

"At present we receive roughly seven days advanced warning of the vaccine arriving and it has been in short supply due to factors beyond our control.

"Vaccines in our locality are being given at Alwoodley Medical Practice.

"As we still have to conduct our day job, seeing acute and chronic illnesses, these patients have to be cancelled at short notice and staff redirected to the vaccine hub.

"An additional complication is that due to cold chain issues, whereby the Pfizer vaccine has to be stored at extremely low temperatures, we haven't been able to administer this vaccine easily to housebound patients.

"Happily with the approval of the AstraZeneca vaccine, which is easier to store, and the planned opening of the vaccine centre at Elland Road, I'd expect us to be able to make rapid progress through the at-risk groups imminently.

"I was delighted to learn that Mrs Marshall's COVID vaccination appointment is pending and wish her all the best."