Margaret Keenan, a 90-year-old woman became the world’s first person to receive the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine following its emergency use approval by the British government.
According to NHS England, Keenan was vaccinated around 6:31 a.m. at her local hospital in Coventry. A nurse, May Parsons administered the vaccination.
In a statement, Keenan said, “I feel 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.”
“I can’t thank May and the NHS staff enough who have looked after me tremendously, and my advice to anyone offered the vaccine is to take it – if I can have it at 90 then you can have it too!”
Keenan will turn 91 next week. She is a former jewelry shop assistant who retired four years ago. She has a daughter, a son, and four grandchildren. She will receive a second dose (booster) of the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine in 21 days.
