Maggie Keenan Praises NHS Staff For Protecting Millions Against Covid
The 91-year-old from Coventry was the first in the world to have a vaccine.
Last updated 22nd Apr 2021
Maggie Keenan, the Coventry woman 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.
The 91-year-old was given her first dose of a vaccine at UHCW on Tuesday the 8th December.
She's been taking part during a Zoom call with NHS chief executive Sir Simon Stevens.
On the call, the 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.
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 UHCW.
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.”
She is now fully vaccinated, having received her second dose, and says she is looking forward to “a little holiday.”
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.
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.”
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