History made at UHCW when 90-year-old grandmother is first patient in the world to receive Pfizer Covid-19 jab

History was made today, December 8, at UHCW when a 90-year-old grandmother from Coventry became the first patient in the world to receive the new Pfizer Covid-19 jab following its clinical approval.

Thousands of people received the jab during clinical trials, but Margaret Keenan is the first patient to have it administered.

At 6.31am Margaret, known to friends and family as Maggie, was given the life-saving jab by nurse May Parsons at University Hospital, Coventry.

Maggie, who turns 91 next week, is a former jewellery shop assistant who only retired four years ago.

She has a daughter, a son and four grandchildren and is looking forward to being able to go out again once she receives the top up dose.

Margaret said: “I feel 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.”

“I can’t thank May and the NHS staff enough who have looked after me tremendously, and my advice to anyone offered the vaccine is to take it – if I can have it at 90 then you can have it too.”

NHS England chief executive Sir Simon Stevens praised all those involved in delivering the new vaccine programme.

“Less than a year after the first case of this new disease was diagnosed, the NHS has now delivered the first clinically approved Covid-19 vaccination – that is a remarkable achievement,” Stevens said.

“A heartfelt thank you goes to everyone who has made this a reality – the scientists and doctors who worked tirelessly, and the volunteers who selflessly took part in the trials. They have achieved in months what normally takes years.