‘Whirlwind day’: NI gran given world’s first Covid-19 jab discharged from hospital
A 90-YEAR-OLD grandmother from Co Fermanagh who became the first person in the world to receive the Pfizer vaccine as part of the mass vaccination rollout has been discharged from hospital after a “whirlwind” day.
Margaret Keenan, known as Maggie, made news around the world after she was given the coronavirus jab at University Hospital Coventry on Tuesday.
Mrs Keenan, who has lived in Coventry for more than 60 years but is from Enniskillen, had been admitted to hospital a few days before her jab.
She was discharged at 2pm yesterday, leaving the building with her grandson Conor and daughter Sue.
In a statement released through NHS England, Mrs Keenan said: “Yesterday was a massive day for me personally and for the rest of the world as we all look to get back to some sort of normality.
“It has all been such a whirlwind and everything hasn’t really sunk in yet. I feel great and I’m so pleased to be able to go home and spend some quality time with my family.
“I would like to say thank you to the hospital and its staff for the care and support shown to me during my stay. They have been truly amazing. My family and I are so grateful for the positive comments and well wishes that we received.
“I would urge everybody to get their vaccine as and when they are asked to do so.”
Speaking immediately after receiving the vaccine, administered by matron May Parsons, the retired jewellery store assistant told of the “great opportunity” of being offered the jab.
She said: “I can’t thank May and the NHS staff enough. They have looked after me tremendously. My advice to anyone offered the vaccine is to take it. If I can have it at 90, then you can have it too.”
Mrs Keenan, who marks her 91st birthday next week, was one of about 100 people vaccinated on the first day of the rollout at Coventry.
Northern Ireland Chief Medical Officer Dr Michael Mcbride praised Mrs Keenan and “inspirational” 28-year-old nurse Joanna Sloan, who became the first person in Northern Ireland itself to receive it.
He also thanked everyone who had played a part in developing the shot, from researchers to trial volunteers.
Professor Andy Hardy, University Hospitals Coventry and Warwickshire NHS Trust chief executive, said: “We were delighted to have the first patient in the world to have the Covid vaccine and it is thanks to our incredible NHS staff that we were able and ready to start vaccinating people, like Maggie, yesterday.
“It is great news that Maggie is well enough to go home. She is really looking forward to spending time with her family.”