THE first person over 80 to receive a coronavirus vaccination in Dumbarton and the Vale says it was “nothing to fuss over” – and has described how he’s looking forward to seeing his wife again ahead of their 70th wedding anniversary.

Bill Campbell, 91, received the Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccination at the Concord Community Centre last week.

Bill’s visits to see his wife Agnes, who has vascular dementia, in a local care home have had to be put on hold because of the tighter coronavirus restrictions in place in West Dunbartonshire and across Scotland.

But he’s now hoping that the vaccination programme will allow them to be reunited in time for their platinum anniversary.

Describing the vaccination, Bill said: “I am perfectly fine, it was nothing to fuss over. It just felt like every other jab that I have had.”

The administering of the Pfizer and Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccines to people aged over 80 in Dumbarton and the Vale began last Wednesday as the rollout of the jag across Scotland continues.

Bill told the Reporter: “I have lived a very interesting life and met wonderful people throughout my lifetime.

“During the pandemic I have become very lonely as I must be careful who I see.

“My son helps me with the messages and drops them at the door which I am very thankful for.

“When the opportunity came to be one of the first to have the Covid vaccine I knew I couldn’t refuse. The nurses and doctors were very pleasant and well organised.

“My friend who lives down the road was the second person to receive the vaccine. He is 97 years of age and always likes to have a laugh with me, like friends do.

“It makes me hopeful that I am one step closer to seeing my wife.”

This September Bill and Agnes will celebrate their platinum wedding anniversary.

The couple went to the same school, but only got to know each other at a dance when she came up to speak to him.

He went to call her the next day - and discovered that she had been sent to work in his mother’s store.

He said: “That was a good omen for me.”

Bill proposed to Agnes on her 21st birthday, as he knew from that moment on that she was the one for him.

Asked to share the secret of 70 years’ happy marriage, Bill said with a grin: “It is very simple. Only two words - ‘yes, dear’.”

Though they’re temporarily apart, Bill still writes “wee love letters” to Agnes every week, and has created a video of her life which he hopes to play to her while holding her hand when care home visits are permitted once more.

He also wants to encourage as many people as possible to get the vaccine.

He said: “If it gets us one step closer to seeing our loved ones, then I suggest it is something we should all think about.”