I had my first shot of the Oxford/AstraZeneca vaccine yesterday. I didn't feel the needle go in and I had a niggling doubt that it hadn't happened so It's reassuring to have a slightly tender spot on my arm today. I also have a mild headache but that's it for side-effects so far. My husband unhelpfully described it as an "inferior vaccine for inferior people" so I reminded him he would be one of those "inferior people" when he has his next week. In truth, I'm not bothered because the majority of people here are getting this one and it has allowed a very speedy vaccination program. My second shot is in 11 weeks time.

Schools reopened on Monday and we're expecting a rise in cases. The hope is that hospitalisations and deaths will continue to decline because the majority of those most vulnerable have already been vaccinated.