Maggie Keenan, who made history when she became the first person
in the world to receive an approved Covid-19 jab in December, has
praised the hard work of “incredible” NHS staff in delivering the
vaccination programme, during a Zoom call with NHS chief
executive Sir Simon Stevens.
On the call the 91-year-old grandmother of four thanked NHS
staff and encouraged everyone to have their second doses of
vaccine, as she was reunited with matron May Parsons, who
delivered her first vaccine.
During a recent visit to a Vaccination Centre, Sir Simon
Stevens echoed Maggie’s thanks to NHS staff and volunteers, for
their success in protecting those most at risk, and urged
everyone to take up their second dose.
Sir Simon Stevens, NHS chief executive,
said: "We're seeing patients coming forward
in record numbers for their Oxford Astra Zeneca second doses.
People are voting with their feet, showing continuing strong
public support for the NHS covid vaccination campaign which has
already saved over 10,000 lives."
Maggie’s praise comes as the NHS vaccine programme, the
biggest in health service history and fastest in Europe,
continues to ramp up second doses for the most vulnerable
patients.
The NHS vaccination programme has now protected around 28
million people in England with at least one jab and delivered
more than nine million second doses.
Talking to the NHS chief over Zoom, Maggie said she felt
honoured to be the first in the world to be protected against the
virus and to “set the ball rolling”, as she urged others to come
forward to get their jab when they are called.
Reflecting on the efforts of NHS staff in rolling out the
vaccine programme, she said: “They are incredible for what they
have done – I think the NHS has achieved an enormous lot by doing
the work they do, such a wonderful institution.”
Maggie, a former jewellery shop owner who only retired four
years ago, made history when she received the first Pfizer jab
outside of a clinical trial at University Hospital, Coventry
on December
8.
She is now fully vaccinated, having received her second
dose, and says she is looking forward to “a little
holiday.”
When asked by Sir Simon, Maggie urged others to ensure they
receive the second dose to ensure they receive maximum
protection, saying: “I’m telling everyone to go and get it
because it really is the best thing I’ve ever done. I hope
everyone comes forward.
“There’s nothing to it, you don’t even feel
anything.
“I just feel really honoured to have had it done, to have
been the first and to have got the ball rolling.”
May Parsons, who is currently Modern Matron for Respiratory
Medicine at University Hospitals Coventry and Warwickshire NHS
Trust, also spoke of her pride at delivering the first jab in
December last year.
May said: “Vaccinating Maggie was a little spark of light
the midst of the darkness, and now I feel like the dawn is
coming. It’s almost unbelievable that we’ve managed to roll out
the vaccine so successfully.”
May, who has worked for the NHS for almost 20 years since
moving from the Philippines, added: “I'm really grateful to all
my colleagues for the bravery and courage that they've shown
throughout this pandemic, which has helped us care for our people
and care for our patients like Maggie.”
Sir Simon ended the call by saying: “Maggie, you've been an
inspiration. May, you've set the whole of the health service on
the path towards this hugely successful vaccination rollout.
Thank you both so much.”
During April, the NHS has been focusing on second doses,
but appointments are still available for those in the initial
priority groups who have not yet been protected.
People who had their first jab at a vaccination centre or
pharmacy-led service should already have a date for their second
while those jabbed by a GP will be called back.
Anyone aged 45 and over can still arrange their jab, as
well as people who are clinically vulnerable or a health and care
worker, who should contact their GP for an appointment.
The NHS is also inviting those eligible for a jab by letter
and text, with some GPs also calling unvaccinated patients
personally to encourage uptake.
Doctors, nurses and other health care professionals are
delivering the life-saving jab at more than 1,600 sites ranging
from cathedrals, mosques and temples to racecourses, sports
stadiums, cinemas and museums, with more than 20 offering the
Moderna jab over the last week.
