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Remarkable Joyce Birrell, 104, joined in a 12-hour sponsored walk to help raise money for a minibus for Foxholes Care Home in Hitchin, where she lives.

A 104-year-old care home resident has become one of the oldest people to receive a coronavirus vaccine. Joyce Birrell, who lives at Foxholes Care Home near the market town of Hitchin, Hertfordshire, received the Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine on Thursday as part of the nationwide programme. She was vaccinated alongside Usha Gandecha, the manager of the home, and all 70 residents. Ms Gandecha said Mrs Birrell was “thrilled” to be one of the first to receive the jab. She said: “It feels like we finally have light at the end of the tunnel and can start being optimistic about the future again.

  One council boss told the specialist health news site: 'The ask is an additional financial burden on providers and someone needs to pick up the tab.  'The obvious department to do so is the Treasury and that is where the barrier is.' And another 'well-placed source' added: 'There is the sense that, because the Government’s fingers got so burnt in March and April, it is running scared to have a discussion about what role they should play now, or even to be seen to have a discussion.' As well as the financial difficulty of commandeering the private homes, companies that run them are also ...