#UK rolls out first doses of COVID-19 vaccine

Doses of the first COVID-19 vaccine in the UK were administered on Tuesday after British regulators gave an emergency authorization to the drug produced by Pfizer and BioNTech.

The first in line was 90-year-old Margaret Keenan, who received her vaccine at University Hospital Coventry at 6:31 a.m.

The grandmother told the Associated Press that she feels “so privileged to be the first person vaccinated against COVID-19.”

“It’s the best early birthday present I could wish for because it means I can finally look forward to spending time with my family and friends in the New Year after being on my own for most of the year,” she told the outlet.

The UK’s initial rollout of the vaccine has been dubbed “V-Day.”

“I think there’s every chance that we will look back on … (Tuesday) as marking a decisive turning point in the battle against coronavirus,” said Simon Stevens, the CEO of England’s National Health Service.

The first 800,000 doses are allocated to people over 80 who are either hospitalized or already have outpatient appointments scheduled, along with nursing home workers.

Others will have to wait likely into next year as the UK gets more doses of the vaccine.

The vaccine by Pfizer and BioNTech is still being reviewed in the US and other European countries.

With Post wires