A hard-working GCSE student and carer from a village near Grantham has become one of the youngest people in the UK to be fully vaccinated against Covid-19.
Ellie Goldsmith, 16, works in a care home in Dowsby, near Billingborough, every weekend alongside her studies.
The teenager made the decision to get the vaccine in order to protect herself and the residents at the Yew Tree Residential Care where she works on Saturdays and Sundays.
Despite her age, her part-time job at the care home makes her eligible for the AstraZenca vaccine, and she received her second jab on Friday, the Mirror reports.
Ellie, who also lives with her grandmother who has a range of health problems and has been shielding during the pandemic, she didn’t think twice about getting the jabs.
The teen had the injections at Grantham Meres Leisure Centre and said: “It was fine, but I’m not really bothered about needles.
“I just feel really protected and safe. It’s good because I don’t have to worry as much for nan and the residents and everyone else, so it does make me feel better.
“This pandemic has been really hard for everyone so to get both vaccines is just a really good feeling.
“But I don’t believe any of the conspiracy theories there are as from studying GCSE biology I know a vaccine can’t make you spurt extra limbs.
“It’s good because then you’re fully protected.
“Working at the home is great and I really like it. Everyone’s so nice and really lovely so I don’t really see it as a job it’s just really nice to work there. I love the residents and helping them.”
Ellie, who is studying for her GCSEs at Bourne Academy after spending months remote learning, added: “It’s been so stressful thinking about GCSES throughout the pandemic.
“We don’t have the final exams which is good but I think people are giving young people a bad reputation at the minute. They should probably go easier a bit because it’s been really stressful on us as well.
“But I’d say to anyone my age that they should take the vaccine.
“I didn’t even have any side effects but it’s just a jab like you would get at school or the flu jab.
“It’s just normal and everyone should get it to protect yourself and others.”
Ellie works every weekend at the care home, making hot drinks, tidying bedrooms.
She also enjoys playing games with the residents, who love her being there.
Her mum Emma, 36, also works at the care home with her daughter and added: “We are just so proud.
“Ellie was really positive about getting it as she felt like she was doing her bit. She wasn’t worried and didn’t listen to the conspiracy theories.
“She was really fearful going to school about bringing back the virus. When she got her first jab in Grantham, vaccinators told Ellie she was the youngest person who had been there.”
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