BBC's Nick Owen gets Covid jab at Black Country Living Museum

A well-loved television presenter has joined the increasing number of people who have received a Covid-19 vaccination.

Nick Owen said he was delighted to get his first Covid-19 vaccination jab (Image by Dudley Group NHS Foundation Trust)

Nick Owen from BBC Midlands Today was given his first vaccination at the Black Country Living Museum in Dudley.

He spoke about the significance of the vaccination and what he felt about it.

He said: "One is always anxious about going to the doctors surgery or going to have a jab and this sort of historic, isn't it really, so this feels really different."

The 73-year-old joked that he would be considered a relic and an exhibit as he entered the museum and remarked on how impressed he was by the operation in place.

He said: "I have to say the organisation is astounding and the scale of it, I had no idea there would be so many people about."

"They are doing 1,000 a day, seven days a week and that's just in one place, when you think of all the organisation they've had to do to get this sorted in the first place.

"The car park was very busy, which surprised me because I know everyone has an appointment and it's spaced out every five to 10 minutes"

Mr Owen was greeted by Matron Sara Davis from Russells Hall Hospital in Dudley, who give him reassurance about the jab before administering the AstraZeneca jab.

He said: "She was terrific and really put me at ease and she said she was just finding it so surreal how much work they're doing and how historic and momentous it all is."

'Thrilled'

Sister Davis said: "This is so surreal as we sometimes stand here and think 'wow, what are we doing?', but I'm so proud of every single person here."

After receiving his jab, Mr Owen said he felt fantastic and said that he had felt quite nervous beforehand and also said that the national effort of it had a real resonance for him.

He said: "I feel absolutely thrilled that I've done it and it's a really big moment.

"It's been a very scary time and there didn't seem to be a light at the end of the tunnel, but there clearly is now, so I'm incredibly grateful and relieved that I've had it done now.

"I also don't feel any after effects, just a bit of stiffness in my left arm and nothing much else, so this is a great weight lifted off my shoulders."