In UK, 87-year-old Indian-origin man set to be among first to get Pfizer's Covid vaccine

An 87-year-old Indian-origin man from England is set to become one of first persons in world to receive a vaccine against COVID-19. He is to be iculated with  Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine at a hospital in Newcastle on Tuesday.

Hari Shukla from England’s Tyne and Wear county considers it as his ‘duty’ to receive his first dose of two-dose vaccine. UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson has hailed moment as a “huge step forward” and dubbed day as “V-Day” or Vaccine Day in Britain.

“I’m so pleased we are hopefully coming towards end of this pandemic and I am delighted to be doing my bit by having vaccine, I feel it is my duty to do so and do whatever I can to help,” said Shukla.

“Having been in contact with NHS (National Health Service), I kw how hard y all work and greatest respect for m – y have a heart of gold and I am grateful for everything y have done to keep us safe during pandemic,” he said.

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NHS approached Shukla based on criteria set by UK’s Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation for its phased vaccine rollout plan based on those who are at highest risk of death from dely virus. People d 80 and above, those working in care homes, as well as NHS workers will be first in line to receive “life-saving jab”.

Praising scientists at NHS, PM Johnson said, “Today marks a huge step forward in UK’s fight against coronavirus, as we begin delivering vaccine to first patients across whole country. I am immensely proud of scientists who developed vaccine, members of public who took part in trials, and NHS who have worked tirelessly to prepare for rollout.”

UK PM also warned that mass vaccination will take time and urged public to remain vigilant and continue to follow precautionary measures over winter months ahe.

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Biggest vaccination drive in UK

NHS is set to create history by undertaking biggest immunisation campaign at 50 hospital hubs in UK. programme will ramp up furr in coming weeks as first set of doses arrives from Pfizer’s manufacturing site in Belgium.

Since Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine got approval from UK’s Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory ncy (MHRA) last week, NHS workers have been working around clock to man large-scale logistical challenge of rolling out vaccine.

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Pfizer/BionTech formula is an mRNA vaccine that uses a tiny fragment of genetic code from virus to teach body how to fight Covid-19 and build its immunity.  It is delivered in two doses, 21 days apart and has shown a strong immunity response kicking in seven days after ministering second dose.   Pfizer vaccine needs to be stored at -70C before being defrosted and can only be moved four times within that temperature before being used.

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