Britain on Tuesday began the biggest vaccination program in the country’s history, with a 90-year-old grandmother becoming the first person to receive the COVID-19 vaccine produced by Pfizer-BioNTech.
The historic inoculation was given to Margaret Keenan at a hospital in Coventry, central England.
“I feel so privileged to be the first person vaccinated against COVID-19,” said Keenan, who turns 91 next week.
Wearing a face-mask and sporting a snowman T-shirt under a grey cardigan she told reporters:
“It’s the best early birthday present I could wish for because it means I can finally look forward to spending time with my family and friends in the New Year after being on my own for most of the year.”
People over 80, care home workers and at-risk frontline health and social care staff were the first in line to get the vaccine in what was dubbed “V-Day”.
They will then require a second jab in 21 days’ time.
Last week, Britain became the first country to approve the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine, raising hopes of a breakthrough in the pandemic, which has killed more than 1.5 million people worldwide.
Britain has been one of the worst-affected countries in the world, with more than 61,000 deaths in the outbreak from 1.6 million cases.
Prime Minister Boris Johnson, who spent days in intensive care with COVID-19 earlier this year, called it a “huge step forward in the UK’s fight against coronavirus”.
UK Health Secretary Matt Hancock, who has offered to have the jab on live television to allay public fears, said the rollout was a “key moment” that would protect the most vulnerable.
The UK has ordered 40 million doses — enough to vaccinate 20 million people — with 800,000 in the first batch.
Up to four million doses are expected by the end of December.
The mass vaccination drive is a coordinated response by all four nations of the UK — England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland — which normally set their own health policies.
The public has been largely favourable to the rapid approval of the vaccine, but ministers and health professionals are aware they still need to combat mistrust.
The independent Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency maintains that no corners were cut and its assessment and approval procedures met stringent international norms.