First Vaccines for Covid-19 Given to the public

The first Coronavirus vaccine was given to a patient out of trial conditions on Tuesday morning, marking the beginning of the mass distribution project of the Pfizer vaccination.

The patient was Margaret Keenan, who will be celebrating her 91st birthday next week and became the first receiver of the vaccination. Margaret has described receiving the jab as ‘The best early birthday present’ she could have received.

Since then, many other patients have been dosed with the vaccination with many other people waiting their turn, with hopes to gain immunity to the disease that has plagued through our lives. The Government plans to target those who are most vulnerable first, with the initial doses being given to NHS staff and care workers, alongside those with life threatening conditions and the elderly.

Among the first doses given were residents of the Palmerston residential home in east Belfast, with all twenty-five of the elderly that live there being vaccinated on Tuesday Morning making them among the first few. There carers are also in the process of being vaccinated.

Care home manager at Palmerston, Paul Johnston has commented that, "Really it has been no different from administering the flu jab. It wasn't painful at all and so far so good with all the residents.".

Health professionals are emphasizing the importance of the vaccine being given to as many people as possible, reportedly having a 95% effectivity rate against coronavirus and could be the key to a more normal future. However, people who have a history of suffering with severe allergies are being advised not to get this vaccine to avoid triggering a possible allergic reaction.

The future for the Pfizer vaccine is looking more and more positive, with other sister vaccines finishing the last stages of clinical testing ready to be given to the public also.

Doctors are warning people that this vaccination breakthrough does not mark the end of the coronavirus pandemic and should we stop adhering to restrictions, we could see another peak in positive cases.

Dr. Alan Stout, chairman of Northern Ireland's GP committee said that, "It is so important that people still follow the rules and follow the guidance,".

With millions of doses already on order, in the near future we can all be expected to be offered the chance to have this vaccination and a growing likely hood of the end of Covid-19’s grip on the UK.