New Delhi (NVI): A 82-year-old British dialysis patient in the United Kingdom become the first person to receive AstraZeneca-Oxford COVID-19 vaccine, as the country began with its mass vaccination drive today.
Brian Pinker, a retired maintenance manager, received the vaccine jab at Oxford’s Churchill Hospital at around 7.30 am, according to the reports.
After the administration of vaccine dose, Pinker, who describes himself as Oxford born and bred said, “I am so pleased to be getting the COVID-19 vaccine today and really proud that it is one that was invented in Oxford. The nurses, doctors and staff today have all been brilliant.”
“I can now really look forward to celebrating my 48th wedding anniversary with my wife Shirley later this year,” he was quoted as saying by National Health Service (NHS) in a statement.
Britain become the first country to roll out the low cost and easily transportable AstraZeneca and Oxford University COVID-19 vaccine, another step in the global response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Chief Nurse, Sam Foster, who administered the first vaccine this morning also said, “It was a real privilege to be able to deliver the first Oxford Vaccine at the Churchill Hospital here in Oxford, just a few hundred metres from where it was developed.”
“We look forward to vaccinating more patients and health and care staff with the Oxford vaccine in the coming weeks,” she added.
Britain become the first country to roll out the low cost and easily transportable AstraZeneca and Oxford University COVID-19 vaccine, another step in the global response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Earlier today, British Health Secretary Matt Hancock took to Twitter and wrote, “Delighted that today we roll out the University of Oxford/AstraZeneca vaccine across the whole UK. It’s a vital step in our fight against this pandemic. This is a national mission. Thank you to everyone involved.”
Delighted that today we roll out the @UniofOxford / @AstraZeneca vaccine across the whole UK ??
It’s a vital step in our fight against this pandemic
This is a national mission. Thank you to everyone involved. pic.twitter.com/EU3R0AJoCx
— Matt Hancock (@MattHancock) January 4, 2021
Last week, UK regulators cleared the AstraZeneca-Oxford shot marking its first approval worldwide. More than 5,00,000 doses will be available as of Monday, which will be available to six hospitals in the UK for the first few days.
According to the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC), most other available doses will be sent to hundreds of GP-led services and care homes across the country later in the week.
The UK government also aims to expand the number of vaccination sites to more than 1,000, with as many as 100 more hospitals and 180 general practitioner-led services coming online this week, the reports said.
-RJV
