William Shakespeare, 81, was among the first people to receive the coronavirus vaccine in the U.K. upon its delivery to vulnerable populations, numerous sources reported.
This gave me a good chuckle today. ‘“Shakespeare’s shot inspired Twitter users, who joked “The Taming of the Flu”, “The Two Gentlemen of Corona”. Some asked if Margaret Keenan was patient 1A, then was Shakespeare “Patient 2B or not 2B?”.’ https://t.co/bfA9Jxs8IO
— Jennifer Nuzzo, DrPH (@JenniferNuzzo) December 8, 2020
Shakespeare received the vaccine at University Hospital Coventry, 20 miles from his namesake’s birthplace in Stratford-Upon-Avon, Reuters reported. His turn to get vaccinated came after 90-year-old Margaret Keenan became the first in the world to receive the Pfizer vaccine, days after U.K. regulators approved it.
Second patient to get the COVID jab at University Hospital Coventry – would you believe it….William Shakespeare from Warwickshire pic.twitter.com/y0LzxgbJ9w
— Hugh Pym (@BBCHughPym) December 8, 2020
William Shakespeare, 81, from Warwickshire in England was one of the first people to receive the newly approved COVID-19 vaccine outside a clinical trial https://t.co/gurWu2NaeS pic.twitter.com/fKLdUBYfNl
— Reuters (@Reuters) December 8, 2020
The U.K. authorized Pfizer’s coronavirus vaccine for emergency use Dec. 2, becoming the first country to authorize a vaccine backed by promising clinical trial results. The U.K. has 10 priority categories for their vaccine roll-out, with long-term care home staff and residents receiving the first round of supplies, according to the Independent. The majority of vulnerable people are expected to be vaccinated throughout January and February. (RELATED: Trump To Sign Executive Order Prioritizing Americans Over Foreign Nations For COVID-19 Vaccine)
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced Tuesday that after its review of the Pfizer vaccine, it can confirm its safety and efficacy as well as the vaccine’s ability to begin protecting people after the first dose. The vaccine comes in two doses for full protection, and are given weeks apart.
The conclusion means that regulators will likely soon authorize the vaccine. A meeting for the decision is scheduled for Dec. 10, and vaccine deliveries following the green-light from the FDA would be enough for 20 million people.