For three and a half million people - and fair play to the government for rolling out vaccination at speed - the experience described below will be old hat.

And I dare say many of those who accompanied an elderly relative will have felt what I felt - nevertheless, I thought I'd try to describe both facts and feelings on the basis that facts will put some minds at rest, while it's no bad thing to share something uplifting at a time when restrictions and anxieties are beginning to bear down on many of us.

My mum will be 98 in April, and yesterday I took her from Heswall to Woodchurch Leisure Centre for the first of her two COVID-19 jabs.

In the car she was a little subdued. "A bit apprehensive," she said. Not because of any fears of the vaccine - it was simply a case of not knowing exactly what to expect.

During the 10 minute car journey we recalled what happened in our home town of Blackburn in 1965. A polio epidemic struck, killing one teenager and afflicting around 50 others. At the time local health officials expressed sorrow that, locally, poor uptake of the vaccine had been responsible for the severity of the outbreak. Mercifully, uptake nationally, then and since, has seen polio suppressed - there hasn't been a case in the UK since the mid-1980s.

Polio, a dreadful virus, defeated by vaccination. As we limped over the Woodchurch speed bumps we agreed this triumph over disease was a real cause for optimism, even though we might not be able to banish COVID-19 completely and will have to get used to it being a seasonal disorder like the flu.

The forecast rain had not materialised, adding to the positive vibe. We arrived and parked at the Centre, and any thoughts that people might be queuing outside were dispelled by the sight 50 yards away of a gentleman in a high viz vest welcoming inside one other aged soul and her daughter.

His equally warm hello to us, complete with hand sanitiser, was the start of an experience that can't be faulted, one delivered by people who have a time sensitive job to do, but are also aware that they are looking after people who are often very old and sometimes infirm.

We joined a short, socially distanced queue. In front of us was a woman pushing her mother's wheelchair. We all compared notes and remarked on the efficiency of the young people who wiped down chairs as soon as they were vacated. As the queue doubled back on itself we said hello to other strangers. Then a friend arrived with her mother and she and mine were introduced. A rough head count suggested there were around 80 people in the building. As some left, others entered. It all seemed very smooth.

Next to a desk where mum took a grey chair and was checked in by a young lad who looked at her and said there must be some mistake as they weren't due to vaccinate the under 30s until much later in the year. That made her laugh. She gave her date of birth, April 1923, and that made him laugh. Her name and address were confirmed, and with that it was to the red chairs to wait, only briefly, before we were guided to a doctor who turned out to be from Heswall. She and mum agreed it's a nice place to live.

The doctor explained that mum would receive the Pfizer BionTech vaccine, asked about allergies and if she was taking any medications, if she had had any vaccine in the past week, and pointed out that if, in the one in a million likelihood she experienced a reaction, mum would be taken to a room where it could be dealt with. In short, there was nothing to worry about, a message delivered precisely and comfortingly.

What's more, the first dose would provide significant protection, and should mum be unlucky enough to contract the virus and develop symptoms, they shoudn't be as severe as they would be were she not vaccinated. She'd be given the second shot in 12 weeks. This meant that more people could be given some protection quickly. Did we have any questions? No, we didn't.

With that, the doctor looked beyond us and we turned to see a smiling nurse waving to us from one of the little bays made of screens. Here, again in an atmosphere as good humoured and good natured as elsewhere, mum was given the vaccine, with me coming in handy holding the three layers of clothing she'd put on on account of it being a bit chilly.

As I said at the start, there was nothing exceptional about what happened to us this weekend, but inside Woodchurch Leisure Centre and across the land I choose to think something special is happening beyond mass vaccination.

Everyone on duty was so caring, so attentive, so aware they were doing something that meant so much to their guests, parents and children alike, and that they were part of a grand collective effort to make life better.

While for those being vaccinated, and their companions, came the strong sense of gratitude for the exceptional good grace with which they were treated.

To everyone at Woodchurch Leisure Centre, thanks so much.