By J. Jala | 01:20 PM December 20, 2020
A Boholano in London has become the first 100 persons in the world to be given the Pfizer Covid-19 jab as part of a mass vaccination programme.
Felix Dennis Apalisok, a nurse in London, England is among the first 100 people in the whole world who was given the Pfizer Covid-19 jab last Tuesday.
It was confirmed by his sister Gisela Mae Apalisok-Leggington, a former journalist in Bohol.
“My brother, Felix Dennis Apalisok, who lives in London, England is among the first 100 people in the whole world who was given the Pfizer Covid-19 jab last Tuesday,” said Apalisok on her Facebook post.
Apalisok said after 15 hours since his brother was given the vaccination, he was able to drive his grandkids to school.
” Sabi ko, why not opportunity na ito na magkaroon ako ng proteksyun sa pandemyang ito, ” Apalisok told ANC.
He added that there was no preparation for the vaccine.
“I had a flu jab, a pneumonia jab. I have a vaccination yearly so this is not new to me,” he added.
He said no signs of bad side effects, although he expects some in the next days.
Margaret Keenan, who turns 91 next week, was the first to receive the jab.
It was the first of 800,000 doses of the Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine that will be dispensed in the coming weeks.
Up to four million more are expected by the end of the month.
Hubs in the UK are starting the rollout by vaccinating the over-80s and some health and care staff.
Senior NHS sources told the BBC “thousands of vaccinations” had taken place across the UK on Tuesday.
‘Hopefully next year we’ll be living a normal life”, Health Secretary Matt Hancock said it was “a tribute to scientific endeavour and human ingenuity and to the hard work of so many people.
Prime Minister Boris Johnson, on a visit to a London hospital to see some of the first people getting the jab, said getting vaccinated was “good for you and good for the whole country”.
On Tuesday, the UK government reported a further 616 people had died within 28 days of a positive test, taking the total, by that measure, to 62,033. A further 12,282 people tested positive for the virus.
At University Hospital, Coventry, matron May Parsons administered the very first injection to Ms Keenan.
“I feel so privileged to be the first person vaccinated against Covid-19,” said Ms Keenan, who is originally from Enniskillen, Co Fermanagh.
“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.
“My advice to anyone offered the vaccine is to take it. If I can have it at 90, then you can have it too,” she added.
