A DOCTOR says he was surprised and honoured when a 103-year-old woman walked into his surgery to have her Covid-19 vaccination.

Khanim Bi, of Barkerend, arranged to have her first Oxford/AstraZeneca vaccination at the Bradford Moor Practice at Barkerend Health Centre, Barkerend Road, after organising to have it herself.

She had originally received her letter inviting her to book a vaccine appointment in January, but was hesitant at first, until she was reassured it was safe by her family.

The great-grandmother was taken to the appointment, on Tuesday, by her granddaughter Nazreen Saleem, much to the shock of the staff at the health centre.

Mrs Saleem said: "She is really happy. She is OK at the moment.

I went in with her and they were so happy to see her. They could not believe it

"She was scared about it before, but we calmed her down when she had it.

"We should all come down and do it and just go ahead with it.

"I had my vaccine the week before my grandmother."

Dr Tamjeed Abdul Hakeem, who runs the Barkerend Health Centre Covid-19 vaccination hub from his practice with his team of clinicians and admin staff, said he was shocked to see Mrs Bi walk in.

He said: "When Mrs Khanim Bi came to our clinic for the AstraZeneca covid vaccination we were all very surprised and felt honoured to see a person of her age attending our clinic.

"She is an absolutely amazing lady and I asked her if I could have a photo with her which she was fine with.

She said she could not understand all the fuss we were making about her coming to our clinic

Bradford Telegraph and Argus: From left, Shahbab Hussain, Arfana Khan, Dr Tamjeed Hakeem and Hajra Ansar from the Covid Vaccination Hub in Barkerend From left, Shahbab Hussain, Arfana Khan, Dr Tamjeed Hakeem and Hajra Ansar from the Covid Vaccination Hub in Barkerend

Meanwhile, Dr Hakeem also encouraged everyone to have the Covid-19 vaccination when they are invited to do so, urging them to follow Mr Bi's example.

He added: "I would strongly encourage everyone currently eligible for the covid vaccine to book an appointment and have the vaccine soon as possible.

"People wanting to book an appointment for the vaccine can always contact their GP practice.

"I would also like to say that the AstraZeneca vaccines is a very safe vaccine and the UK's medicines watchdog, the MHRA, has said that evidence "does not suggest" the jab causes any serious side-effects such as clots.

"My message to all Bradfordians is: 103-year-old Mrs Khanim Bi is a testament to the community spirit the majority of Bradfordians have shown in following the government Covid-19 guidelines and protecting our community.

"Let's all continue this, follow social distancing and book in for the vaccination as soon as it's offered - it's the best way to protect our community, loved ones and elderly such as Mrs Bi."

Mrs Bi is one of more than 25 million people who have received a vaccination since the programme began in December last year.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson is also set to join Mrs Bi in having the Oxford/AstraZeneca vaccination.