A SHOT IN THE MA’AM
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THE Queen and Prince Philip had Covid jabs yesterday – and released the news in a powerful message to anti-vaxxers.
Her Majesty, 94, and Philip, 99, received the vaccine at Windsor Castle. A source said they went public “to prevent further speculation”.
It was a shot in the arm for experts urging Brits to have the jab. And it came amid calls for a tighter lockdown as another 1,035 UK deaths were reported – taking the grim toll to 80,868.
THE Queen went public about her Covid jab yesterday in a “hugely significant” message of hope – and a poke in the eye for anti-vaxxers.
Her Majesty broke with royal protocol by revealing she and Prince Philip had the vaccine at Windsor Castle.
A household doctor administered the jab, thought to be the Oxford-produced AstraZeneca version.
Palace sources said the Queen let it be known she had the vaccine “to prevent inaccuracies and further speculation”.
Her Majesty, 94 and Philip, 99, were the second European royals to go public after Queen Margrethe of Denmark, 80, said last week she had received the first dose.
A Palace spokesman said: “The Queen and The Duke of Edinburgh have today received Covid-19 vaccinations.”
One well-placed insider said: “This is a hugely significant moment in history and a decision the Queen would not have made lightly.
“It sends a strong message of hope throughout what the Queen acknowledges has been a very difficult and unprecedented time for the country.
“Normally the Royal Family would be fiercely private about such matters but the Queen felt this was a moment to lead from the front and was acutely aware of the commentary surrounding the unwillingness to accept the vaccine.
BATTLING
“As she has instructed her family to do throughout the crisis, the monarch felt it of the utmost importance to get behind the incredible efforts of the scientists and frontline NHS workers battling every night and day against this awful disease.”
The Queen’s actions – revealed as the UK death toll rose 1,035 to 80,868 – define her perfectly, always leading by example.
Right from her teenage years – comforting families in the Blitz-ravaged East End of London – and throughout her 68-year reign, the dutiful Queen has led the nation through thick and thin.
A royal source added: “In her address to the nation at the height of the first wave of coronavirus last year, millions saw the Queen evoke a wartime spirit when she told the British people they would overcome coronavirus.
“The Queen believes this is another vital moment to show courage and unity in the face of the crisis.”
In her TV address the Queen had said: “We will meet again... and better days will return.”
And in her Christmas message she reminded the country: “Even on the darkest nights there is hope in the new dawn.”
Medical experts hailed her backing for the jab and say it sends a powerful message the vaccine is safe.
Health Secretary Matt Hancock shared his approval in a tweet, saying: “I’m delighted that Her Majesty the Queen & HRH the Duke of Edinburgh have received their Covid vaccine. We are defeating this virus jab by jab.”
It is not known which vaccine the royals were given, but sources speculated they had waited until the British-backed Oxford vaccine was readily available in a
huge boost to our scientists. The Queen’s decision echoes that made in 1957 when, amid widespread anxiety about potential side-effects of a polio vaccine, she let it be known Prince Charles and Princess Anne, then eight and six, had been inoculated.
That announcement was heralded as a massive turning point in the race to vaccinate millions of children against the sickening disease. Yesterday’s revelation came days after PM Boris Johnson told anti-vaxxers to “grow up” and warned that their propaganda was costing lives. He spoke out after people who believe Covid-19 is a hoax protested outside hospitals and claimed they were “empty”.
Polls have shown that as many as one in five Brits are “unsure” about getting the vaccine. And a new survey last night revealed 88 per cent of doctors are worried anti-vaccine messaging will affect uptake of the jab.
The British Medical Association surveyed 7,800 doctors, revealing that more than half said their patients had concerns. BMA council chair Dr Chaand Nagpaul said: “It’s vital vaccination is delivered as fast as humanly possible, to relieve our health service from the scourge of Covid-19.”
Prince William – who has had Covid – revealed on Friday that he and wife Kate talk to their children every day so they “understand all of the sacrifices” made by NHS heroes. Prince Charles, 72 – who contracted Covid last April – confirmed recently he will have the vaccine but joked he is “way down the list”.
A further 59,937 UK cases of Covid were confirmed yesterday, pushing the total number over three million.
Her Majesty wanted to get behind scientists and NHS workers
ROYAL SOURCE ON WHY QUEEN REVEALED JAB