'Best way to beat Covid jab nerves is to think of chocolate'

By Jenness Mitchell & Susan Nicholson

The best way to beat nerves when getting jabbed against Covid is to pretend you’re eating a chocolate bar to stay happy, according to an Angus schoolgirl.

Aimee Cumming, 12, has taken up the offer of a vaccine ahead of her return to school later this week following the Christmas break.

Speaking to STV News on Monday, the Forfar Academy student said she was “nervous” at first but hoped she would help to save lives.

She added: “All my pals in my classes have been getting it.

“We’re just trying to keep it safe so that we can go out in the holidays and just enjoy our time together.”

Vaccine: Aimee Cumming, 12, has been jabbed against Covid. STV News

Aimee said getting jabbed would allow her to spend time with family and friends “who maybe can’t always come out”.

And to all those nervous about needles, the first-year pupil added: “Just try and not think about it. Like just pretend you’re eating a chocolate bar or something, just try and make yourself happy.”

With schools across Scotland returning this week, education secretary Shirley-Anne Somerville has been urging students to take a lateral flow test either the night before lessons start back or on the morning of their return.

With youngsters aged 12 to 15-years-old now eligible for their second dose of a coronavirus vaccine, pupils in this age group have also been encouraged to come forward for their jabs.

Somerville said: “It is our absolute priority to keep schools safely open and minimise further disruption to learning.

“To achieve that, we need the help of the whole school community.”

Vaccinator: Paul McAndrew, a senior nurse with NHS Tayside. STV News

Paul McAndrew, a senior nurse with NHS Tayside, said the region has seen a high demand from youths looking to get jabbed.

He said: “I think what we’re certainly seeing here is that a lot of the kids are coming out with their parents.

“We’ve had around 60 drop-ins [today], 50 of them have been kids, so the 12 to 15-year-olds, which is really good to see.

“And then the parents that were needing their boosters were getting done at the same time.”

Mr McAndrew urged all those who have yet to receive a vaccination to drop-in.

He added: “It’s really positive. You’ll see across Tayside today, over the four-hour periods the clinics are open, I think we’ve had an excess of 600 drop-ins – so that’s on top of the booked patients already.

“Certainly, I know in Tayside we’re over the 80% mark now. It’s been fantastic from the public coming forward.

“We’ve just got that last 20% now. That’s what we need.”