THE first person in the UK to receive the Pfizer/BioNTech Covid-19 vaccine was 90-year-old Margaret Keenan.
The grandmother got the jag this morning, calling on others to “do what I did”.
Speaking from the vaccination clinic at University Hospital Coventry this morning, Keenan described the experience as a “great opportunity”.
She had been in hospital already and decided she would help out and do her best to “get rid of this terrible thing”.
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Keenan, originally from Enniskillen, Northern Ireland, told reporters: “I know that one or two people on my ward are going to wait and have it done by the doctor, but because it was available for me today [I did it].
“I don’t mind the [media] attention, it doesn’t bother me.
“I’m just happy to have it done.”
On social media Scotland’s First Minister reacted to the scenes.
“Got a bit of a lump in the throat watching this,” she wrote.
“Feels like such a milestone moment after a tough year for everyone.
“The first vaccines in Scotland will be administered today too.”
The roll-out began in Scotland this morning and care home residents are expected to receive the jag from December 14.
Health Secretary Jeane Freeman said Scotland will receive 8.2% of the 800,000 doses (just over 65,500) in the first delivery secured, with more to come in the weeks ahead.
She said the doses will go to the 23 commercial-size freezers in acute hospitals around Scotland which can hold the vaccine.
Future plans include mass vaccination centres but that will be further down the line when vaccinators are dealing with younger people.
Other plans include mobile vaccination centres and high street locations where people can go for a jab.
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