The drama of an early Covid jab

As I walk along Tottenham Court Rd on Wednesday, my mobile rings – it’s my doctor. Could I go to a medical centre at 10.20am on Friday for the first of two Pfizer/BioNTech Covid-19 vaccinations. I stop in the street, stunned, then wave my arms in the air and say, “I love you”, causing masked passers-by to look wary, even though they must be used to such events these days: another mad old lady in Tottenham Court Rd during a pandemic.

I am aware that millions of people are waiting for this and I’m lucky enough to be one of the first. It feels surreal.

A text confirms the booking, asking me to be there promptly but to not get there early.

I have to take the Tube, which I now hardly ever do, and have to force myself, seven minutes before 10.20am, intending to loiter somewhere near until 10.20. No need to look for the Health Centre, because I see at once a long crowd of grey and white heads and winter coats snaking around several corners. I go uncertainly to the end of the queue of masked old people: “Could you tell me what time your vaccination is?”