Covid vaccine is gift to world as Margaret Keenan, 90, makes history – The Yorkshire Post says

BRITAIN has a new national heroine in grandmother Margaret Keenan who made history by becoming the first person in the world to receive Pfizer’s pioneering Covid-19 vaccine.
By YP Comment
Published 8th Dec 2020, 16:38 BST

The remarkably unflustered 90-year-old described it as “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”.

Respectfully, The Yorkshire Post views this day of history – and hope – as Margaret’s gift to the world after she agreed to have the injection at 6.31am in front of an array of cameras and NHS hospital staff in Coventry.

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Put simply, no one could fail to be moved by her modesty – and the comforting words she received from the nurse injecting the groundbreaking vaccine – before she received a much deserved standing ovation from overjoyed staff.

Maragret Keenan, 90, makes history by becoming the first person in the world to receive a Covid vaccine.Maragret Keenan, 90, makes history by becoming the first person in the world to receive a Covid vaccine.
Maragret Keenan, 90, makes history by becoming the first person in the world to receive a Covid vaccine.

What is about our ‘greatest generation’ from the example set by the indomitable Captain Sir Tom Moore, and now this youthful-looking nonagenerian, and their uncanny ability to lift the nation’s morale at times of duress?

Though this has been, without doubt, the most exacting year to be endured by the post-war generation, both Captain Tom and Mrs Keenan’s younger years were scarred by the backdrop, and experience, of war.

They did their duty then and their example now, coupled with their remarkable good humour, offers another timely fillip as scientists perform miracles – and that is the understatement of the year – to find a cure to Covid.

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Inevitably, there will be logistical challenges as the immunisation programme is rolled out, but these will be made all easier if the wider public continues to show the patience, and perseverance, which has enabled Britain to reach a moment in time when the end is finally within sight.

Margaret Keenan, 90, is applauded by staff as she returns to her ward after becoming the first person in the United Kingdom to receive the Pfizer/BioNtech covid-19 vaccine at University Hospital, Coventry, at the start of the largest ever immunisation programme in the UK's history.Margaret Keenan, 90, is applauded by staff as she returns to her ward after becoming the first person in the United Kingdom to receive the Pfizer/BioNtech covid-19 vaccine at University Hospital, Coventry, at the start of the largest ever immunisation programme in the UK's history.
Margaret Keenan, 90, is applauded by staff as she returns to her ward after becoming the first person in the United Kingdom to receive the Pfizer/BioNtech covid-19 vaccine at University Hospital, Coventry, at the start of the largest ever immunisation programme in the UK's history.

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Related topics:Margaret KeenanBritainYorkshire PostTom MoorePfizerCoventryNHSYorkshire

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