TAMING OF THE FLU
William Shakespeare, 81, from Warwickshire just like the Bard, is 2nd Brit to get Covid jab – as social media goes wild
THE second patient in the world to receive the ground-breaking Covid-19 jab has sent social media wild with his name.
William Shakespeare, 81, of Warwickshire was pictured receiving the vaccine at University Hospital Coventry this morning.
⚠️ Read our coronavirus live blog for the latest news & updates
13
13
13
13
It comes after 90-year-old Maggie Keenan became the first Brit to receive the vaccine.
Following the vaccination William - who goes by Bill to his pals - said: "Groundbreaking, I think, isn't it?
"It could make the difference to our lives from now on. It’s the start of changing our lives and our lifestyle."
He added he had been spending lockdown with his wife, and the pair had been "virtually locked down" the entire time - apart from a few trips to the local shops on his wife's part, but he hasn't been penning any plays like his namesake.
Bill's full name - William Shakespeare - and his shared birthplace with the iconic British bard, who came from Stratford-upon-Avon in Warwickshire, put a smile on people's faces as they joked "he's a jolly good Othello".
Others said the fuss over his name was much ado about nothing.
One witty social media user joked: "Love the fact that the 2nd person to have the vaccine was William Shakespeare from Warwickshire. How late am I with "Two Gentlemen of Corona?"
But a slightly more sceptical tweeter said: "As if the second bloke to get the Covid vaccine is called William Shakespeare from Warwickshire, as if that’s by accident.
"I bet they are searching high and low for an Isaac Newton and an Emmeline Pankhurst. If you’re called Charles Darwin, start rolling your sleeves up."
Others dubbed Bill's jab "the taming of the flu" and another quipped: "If Margaret Keenan is patient 1A for the vaccine, would William Shakespeare be 2B, or not 2B ..."
13
13
13
13
13
Speaking on Good Morning Britain this, an emotional Matt Hancock said: “It’s just wonderful watching the images of Margaret.
“I have seen a few others - William Shakespeare - the second person.
“It looks like such a small thing, just having that jab in the arm, but it means so much because this is the route out of this pandemic - and my God we need one.”
Mr Hancock was moved to tears by William, days after getting emotional in Parliament as he revealed his step-grandfather tragically died from coronavirus.
William and Maggie are among hundreds of OAPs and NHS staff who will receive the vaccine on what is being dubbed V-Day.
The over-80s, care home workers, and at-risk health and social care staff will all be pushed to the front of the line to take the jabs.
The British public has been largely supportive of the rapid approval of the vaccine, but ministers and health professionals are aware they still need to combat mistrust.
"My advice to anyone offered the vaccine is to take it," Maggie urged.
"If I can have it at 90 then you can have it too."
It has also been reported that The Queen, who at 94 will qualify for the vaccine, could front an awareness campaign urging compliance.
Matron May Parsons administered the vaccine to the first two patients this morning.
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," Sir Simon 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.
"My colleagues across the health service are rightly proud of this historic moment as we lead in deploying the PfizerBioNTech vaccine.
"I also want to thank Margaret, our first patient to receive the vaccine on the NHS.
Most read in News
"Today is just the first step in the largest vaccination programme this country has ever seen.
READ MORE SUN STORIES
"It will take some months to complete the work as more vaccine supplies become available and until then we must not drop our guard.
"But if we all stay vigilant in the weeks and months ahead, we will be able to look back at this as a decisive turning point in the battle against the virus."
13
13
13
13
Topics