Dr Liam and Jeanette McGrogan
The culmination of more than 12 months of work was reached this week after the one millionth Covid-19 vaccination was administered in Manchester.
Primary care, pharmacy and hospital trust teams as well as thousands of volunteers have worked together to reach this milestone in one of the largest peacetime mobilisations of people power ever seen.
There are one million individual stories behind this public health marvel, however to mark this occasion the efforts of one family in particular have exemplified the spirit of the vaccination programme.
The celebrations will include the McGrogan family, a team of a mum, dad, son and daughter who between the four of them have vaccinated an estimated 6,000 people in Manchester.
See the below case study to find out about them and their incredible story.
As Manchester prepares to mark the two year anniversary of the start of the pandemic, the need for vaccinations is still as high as ever.
There was a huge upsurge in the number of people coming forward before Christmas for their booster as well as their first or second vaccination. It is hoped this enthusiasm will be sustained going into the New Year, as well as rolling out the jab to additional cohorts.
This includes officering the vaccine to children aged 12-15 so that, after months of disruption to their education, they will be able to resume a normal school life.
Covid, although mild for children, can still make them poorly which is why getting one dose is vitally important to prevent serious illness, and a second to provide as much protection as possible.
Jabs are being arranged through most schools, but parents are able to book their child in for a jab by calling 119 or visiting www.nhs.uk
Additional work is also still being carried out so that the multi-cultural population of Manchester is not missed out of the vaccination programme.
Work in our communities has continued to ensure that people living in Manchester have the information at their disposal to make an informed choice about getting the vaccination, as well as additional resources being put into place to make sure people from all walks of life have fair and equal access to the vaccine.
The Manchester JabCab offer is one such example, with free journeys being offered to and from vaccination centres if residents cannot access them by any other means.
Councillor Bev Craig, Leader of Manchester City Council said: “To reach such a significant milestone is staggering and testament to the incredible dedication of everyone connected to the vaccination effort. This has not been an easy two years for any of us and for so many, the vaccine offered us a way back to normality. We are still learning what the future will look like, but I know it would be far worse were it not for the superheroes we have working among us.”
David Regan, Manchester’s Director of Public Health said: “The vaccination programme has been the biggest public health initiative we’ve ever seen in Manchester, touching on virtually every aspect of the city’s healthcare network. I’m incredibly proud to have played a part in this and I know that thousands of lives have been saved as a result of the skill and resolve of our clinicians, frontline staff and volunteers.
“We are not through this yet and as ever our message remains get your first and second vaccinations, get your booster when offered and take all the steps necessary to keep you and your family safe.”
Councillor Joanna Midgley, Executive Member for Health and Care said: “The pandemic has been a truly testing time for all of us, no matter what our background or where in Manchester we live. But, in spite of all the challenges we have faced the unity shown by ordinary Mancunians has helped immeasurably, and we will never be able to repay the people who have shown so much courage in the face of so much adversity.
“The McGrogan's story is just one example of how one family’s actions can make such a huge impact, and I know for certain their example has been repeated in every community in this city.”
Dr Manisha Kumar, Medical Director for Manchester Health and Care Commissioning said: “The story of the Manchester vaccination programme is made up of tens of thousands of people, from the clinicians giving jabs, to the support teams behind the scenes who have made all of our clinics possible, to the volunteers who give up their free time to make sure the clinics run smoothly.
“The events of the winter have proved just how vital the vaccine roll out has been and I am proud to have been part of an incredible city-wide effort to protect as many people as possible.”
Alison Lynch, Deputy Chief Nurse at Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust said: “We’re very proud of how our staff have contributed towards this incredible milestone. Since December 2020, an enormous amount of work has gone into the set up and successful running of multiple COVID-19 vaccination clinics across Manchester, including locations at Manchester Royal Infirmary, Wythenshawe Hospital, Trafford General Hospital and North Manchester General Hospital.
“I’d like to say a huge well done and thank you to everyone who worked towards this fantastic achievement, and thank you to everyone who has got their vaccination to help keep themselves, their friends, family and communities safe.”
Manchester’s McMedic Marvels:
How the McGrogan family of volunteer vaccinators gave more than 5,000 jabs in just eight months
Jeanette, Fiona and Liam McGrogan.
One family who can take credit for giving thousands of the city's one million jabs are the McGrogans, who volunteered as vaccinators at the Plant Hill clinic in north Manchester from January to August last year.
Mum Jeanette, 62, is a retired children’s nurse; Dad Liam, 70 is a former GP in Blackley; son Andrew, 38, is a locum GP; and daughter Fiona, 41, is an advanced nursing practitioner. On some days during their sessions all four of them would be in the venue, with Andrew as the lead GP.
“It made me so proud, that as a family we were all pulling in the same direction,” says Liam. “It’s a fantastic centre and the atmosphere was so positive – with a real sense of that Dunkirk spirit as we tried to get as many people vaccinated as possible.
“For me, I also met a lot of my former patients, which reinforced the value of community and knowing your area and the people who live there.
“Jeanette, in particular, was super-fast at vaccinating – which is all down to her background in nursing.”
In fact, Jeanette is somewhat of a ‘vaccine-whisperer’ – with a soothing technique where she 'chats and distracts' people so that they don’t have any nerves about the process.
“It’s all about picking up cues, and spending time with people,” she says. “When it comes to people with needle phobias, you need to keep them occupied and feeling safe. A lot of people then didn’t even notice the actual jab.”
During their 8-month service the family vaccinated almost 6,000 people – all without ever catching Covid themselves.
“I put that down to having the vaccines promptly, and the booster,” says Liam, “And, that’s something I feel very strongly about.”
So much so, that should the Fab Four be required again, they will, of course, return – complete with a fresh blast of energy as they once more, keep in in the family.