Queen Elizabeth, 94, and Prince Philip, 99, are expected to be among the first to receive the Pfizer / BioNTech vaccine, the first shipment of which arrived in the UK and will be administered first to those over 80 years of age from Tuesday. .
Claims against vaccines on social media and elsewhere are among the main hurdles facing UK health officials planning the largest mass vaccination program in the country’s history. Leading figures like Queen Elizabeth taking the vaccine are expected to help overcome anxiety.
The initial batch received from Belgium has 800,000 doses. The UK has ordered 40 million doses of the Pfizer / BioNTech vaccine, which is enough to vaccinate 20 million people with two doses, 21 days apart. It also reached an agreement for early access to more than 300 million doses of other vaccines, when approved by regulators.
Reports in the British press on Sunday said that Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip can “make it known” that they have had the vaccine that would be initially implemented in 50 hospitals that have facilities to freeze the shipment at a temperature between 70 and 80 degrees. Celsius.
Due to their age, the Queen and Prince Philip are in the first group identified for vaccination. Frontline health workers, people over 80 and care home workers will be the first to receive the vaccine which was approved by the UK regulator on 2 December.
Calling the launch of the vaccine on Tuesday a “historic moment,” Health Secretary Matt Hancock said: “I urge everyone to do their part to suppress this virus and follow local restrictions to protect the National Health Service as they perform. this crucial job. ” .
Given that the completion of the Brexit process on December 31 can lead to transport bottlenecks at the border, especially if no deal is reached with the European Union by then, UK officials are considering deploying Force aircraft. Air to bring the vaccine from Belgium from January 1. .
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