Rohit Shishodia  
90-year-old Margaret Keenan, from Enniskillen, Northern Ireland, has become the first person in the world to get a shot of the first Covid vaccine developed by Pfizer in association with BioNtech. The vaccine was given to her at University Hospital in Coventry on December 8, 2020.

Ms Keenan, who will turn 91 next week, said that getting the vaccine shot was the “best early birthday present.” It is learned that around 80 lakh vaccines are to be administered to the people of the UK in the coming days.

Expressing her joy to become the first person getting the Covid vaccine, Ms Keenan said that she feels privileged to get the dose of the vaccine.

"It is 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 while interacting with the media.

She advised that if she can take this vaccine at 90 years of age then others should take it to prevent the deadly infection.

Speaking on the beginning of the mass Covid vaccination program in the country, Prof Stephan Powis, National Medical Director, National Health Services, UK, said that it felt like a beginning of the end. He added that 2020 had been a dreadful year but life would get back to normal in the coming months.

Many people across the world have reservations about the vaccine and its safety and efficacy. Allying such fears, Powis  pointed out that the vaccine is one of the safest forms of medicine.

He added that this vaccine has been tested by many thousands of people in clinical trials and an independent regulator --Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency --  has looked at it carefully and has given it the green signal.

He advised that any one who gets a call for the vaccination, should come and get it.