History-making NI grandmother receives second Pfizer vaccine dose

Margaret Keenan was given the follow-up injection at Coventry’s University Hospital on Tuesday, three weeks after making history with the first jab.

The 91-year-old, who celebrated a birthday in between jabs, received an injection on December 8, describing it as a “whirlwind” day.

NHS England said at the time that she would have a “booster jab” 21 days later “to ensure she has the best chance of being protected against the virus”.

Mrs Keenan, who has lived in Coventry for more than 60 years but is originally from Enniskillen, Northern Ireland, is now recovering well after her second jab, University Hospitals Coventry and Warwickshire NHS Trust said.

Professor Andy Hardy, trust chief executive, said: “We were delighted to welcome Margaret Keenan back to Coventry’s University Hospital today to safely receive the second dose of the vaccination, after she became the first person in the world to receive the Pfizer Covid-19 vaccine following its clinical approval.

“Our hardworking staff who have been involved in the vaccination programme have remained in contact with Margaret’s family since that day and we are delighted that Margaret has been continuing to recover well at home following her discharge from hospital.

“It’s important that everyone comes forward to get the jab when they are invited to do so and, like other hospitals and GP surgeries across the country, we’ll be following the latest expert advice and evidence to invite people to get vaccinated at the time they need it.”

The most recent figures published by the Department of Health last week showed that the number of people to have had their first jab between 8 December and 20 December in the UK was 616,933.

But speaking on Christmas Eve, Prime Minister Boris Johnson said almost 800,000 people had been given their first dose of the two-stage vaccine.

Since the initial jabs were given in hospitals, the rollout has widened to GP-led sites and care homes.

A Welsh Government spokesman said people in Wales would begin receiving their second dose of the vaccine from January 5.