UK nurse on giving first jab, NHS on variant spike

Britain on Monday took ar giant step in fight against COVID-19, ramping up its immunization program by giving first shots in world from vaccine created by Oxford University and pharmaceutical giant AstraZeneca.

Dialysis patient Brian Pinker, 82, was first to get new vaccine shot, ministered by chief nurse at Oxford University Hospital, followed by music teacher and far-of-three Trevor Cowlett, 88.

Since December 8, Britain’s National Health Service has been using a vaccine me by Pfizer and German firm BioNTech to iculate health care workers and nursing home residents and staff.

Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine boosts that medical arsenal and is cheaper and easier to use since it does t require super-cold stor needed by Pfizer vaccine.

Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine was being ministered at a small number of U.K. hospitals for first few days so authorities can watch out for any verse reactions.

But hundreds of new vaccination sites - at both hospitals as well as local doctors’ offices - will launch this week, joining more than 700 alrey in operation, NHS England said.

(IM CREDITS:AP)