‘Turning point’: UK gives first dose of COVID-19 vaccine

LONDON (AP): British health authorities began rolling out the first doses of a widely tested COVID-19 vaccine today (Tuesday), starting a global immunisation programme that is expected to gain momentum.

According to details, a 90-year-old woman has become the first person to be given a COVID jab. The first recipient, Margaret Keenan, was given the injection early in the morning – the first of 800,000 doses of the Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine that will be given in the coming weeks.

The first shot came at one of a network of hospital hubs around the country where the initial phase of the UK programme will be rolled out on what has been dubbed “V-Day.”

The concerned authorities have asked the masses to be patient because only those who are most at risk from Covid-19 will be vaccinated in the early stages. Medical staff will contact people to arrange appointments, and most will have to wait until next year.

The chief executive officer of England’s National Health Service, Simon Stevens, said, “I think there’s every chance that we will look back on Tuesday as marking a decisive turning point in the battle against coronavirus disease.”

The first recipient, who turns 91 next week, said she feels so privileged to be the first person vaccinated against COVID-19. “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,” she added.

The first 800,000 doses are going to people over 80 who are either hospitalized or already have outpatient appointments scheduled, along with nursing home workers.

“Our goal is totally to protect every member of the population, Her Majesty, of course, as well,” Dr June Raine, chief executive of Britain’s Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency.

Public health officials elsewhere are watching Britain’s rollout as they prepare for the unprecedented task of vaccinating billions of people to end a pandemic that has killed more than 1.5 million.

The UK is getting a head start on the project after British regulators on December 2 gave emergency authorisation to the vaccine produced by US drugmaker Pfizer and Germany’s BioNTech.

On the other hand, US and European Union authorities are also reviewing the vaccine, alongside rival products developed by US biotechnology company Moderna, and collaboration between Oxford University and drugmaker AstraZeneca.

Earlier on Saturday, Russia began vaccinating thousands of doctors, teachers and others at dozens of centres in Moscow with its Sputnik V vaccine.