RETIRED teacher Nigel Viles says his 92-year-old mother might have died if she had not had the Covid-19 vaccination to protect against the deadly coronavirus.

His mother Kate, who recently tested positive for Covid at the Blenheim House care home in Melksham, is much less at risk having had a jab five weeks ago.

Mr Vile, 66, of Woodhouse Gardens, Trowbridge, said: "Because she has had the jab, the symptoms are much less severe.

"If she had not had the jab, we could be talking about her death by now."

Mr Vile had his first Covid jab in Westbury on Thursday and says the process at Shaunak's Pharmacy could not be faulted.

He said: “The system was so efficient and well-organised from the online booking system to the welcome at the Pharmacy to the vaccine itself."

“There are still people out there who decline a jab if they discover it is Pfizer rather than Oxford. Just take what is on offer and be grateful.

"Many thanks to the scientists and medics and volunteers. It has been a huge success.

“A word of caution, however. The vaccine does take 3-4 weeks to become effective so don't rush out straightaway and book that SAGA Holiday".

Mr Vile's 37-year-old daughter Katie alerted him to the vaccine being available and he booked online immediately.

He says: "I was given the option of going to Bath Racecourse, or Emersons Green at Bristol but Westbury is only ten minutes away from Trowbridge and easy to get to.

"I was in and out in less than ten minutes and the jab itself doesn't hurt. I had a slightly sore arm for a few days afterwards, that was all."

Mr Vile, who taught business studies and economics at Corsham School and then at King Edward's School in Bath for 25 years, was given the Oxford AstraZeneca vaccine. He will go back for the second dose in May.

His mother tested positive for Covid after having the first dose of the vaccine just after Christmas.

Mr Vile believes the disease could have had a more damaging impact on her health had it not been for the vaccine.

The grandmother has been living at the care home in Bath Road, Shurnhold, for many years since suffering a severe stroke 12 years ago.

He is now urging others to make sure they get vaccinated, saying "People should not be afraid of this jab. The system is very simple and very quick and painless.

"The more people who have the jab, the more we can get back to normality again."