100-year-old Surrey grandmother hopes to inspire others by getting COVID vaccine

SURREY (NEWS 1130) — A 100-year-old grandmother in Surrey has gotten her first dose of the vaccine, saying she hopes to encourage others to do the same.

Harbhajan Kaur attended the vaccination clinic with her daughter and granddaughter and was eager to get her shot.

In a message posted online, Harbhajan says she believes everyone should get the vaccine to stay safe during the pandemic.

A 100yo grandmother in Surrey has gotten her first dose of the vaccine, saying she hopes to encourage others to do the same. Sukhmeet Sachal vaccinated Harbhajan Kaur late last month and says getting a first dose was a major relief for her and her family. Details @NEWS1130 https://t.co/DZRQY92euO

— Tarnjit Kaur Parmar (@Tarnjitkparmar) May 13, 2021

Sukhmeet Sachal vaccinated Harbhajan late last month and says getting the first dose was a major relief for her and her family.

“It was a multi-generational family. So the grandmother, the mother, and the daughter all came in together, and they were just really excited for Harbhajan to get vaccinated, and it just happened that she landed on the row that I was vaccinating at,” he says. “So when she came in, the manager brought in a 100-year-old sticker for her, and people all around were clapping. It was just a very nice moment amidst all the chaos that is happening around the world.”

He says when he spoke with Harbhajan, she hoped others would also get vaccinated.

“She was here to inspire others all around her to get vaccinated, and I think for me it was very touching,” he says. “Someone as old as her having so much spirit and so much positivity, I think that’s what we need more of in the world right now.”

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Sachal says it’s an encouraging sign that older people are coming in to get vaccinated, adding it helps tackle vaccine hesitancy and it can also help with language and cultural barriers following questions around the province’s approach when it comes to communications with different groups.

“As many people as we can get vaccinated right now, the faster we can get by done, the faster we can end this pandemic. If she can get it at her age at 100-years-old, what is stopping you from getting it?” he says. “I think her message was so kind. I hope that everyone around can get inspired by her messaging, and her thoughts, and go get vaccinated.”

“And so I think it’s important for people like her and her family to step forward and share their stories of getting vaccinated because if they can even inspire one or two people who might be scared to get the vaccine, I think it will help end this pandemic much sooner.”