The United Kingdom completed, this Wednesday (8), one year since the first person in the world received a vaccine against Covid-19 outside the context of clinical trials.
On December 8, 2020, Margaret Keenan, a 90-year-old grandmother known to friends as Maggie, became the first person to receive the Pfizer injection after clinical approval, describing the moment as “the best thing that ever happened.” .
Prime Minister Boris Johnson highlighted the UK’s early success in the vaccination campaign and said that’s why he managed to reopen England’s economy in July.
He called for another vaccination effort for the booster program on a scale similar to the initial launch in light of concerns over the new Ômicron variant, which also led to the return of mandatory mask and travel restrictions.
“Since the first injection was given a year ago, today, our phenomenal vaccine launch has saved hundreds of thousands of lives,” Johnson said in a statement.
“Vaccines remain our first and best line of defense against the virus – so the best way to continue to protect yourself and your loved ones is to support the vaccine program and get a booster once you become eligible.”
The UK has administered nearly 120 million doses of Covid-19 vaccine, either as first doses, second doses or as boosters.
Scientists are concerned that Ômicron may be more transmissible than the currently dominant Delta variant and have mutations associated with lower vaccine efficacy.
Pfizer announced this Wednesday (8) that three doses of its immunizing agent protect against the variant.
Health Secretary Sajid Javid said boosters should continue to provide good protection against serious illness, even though the injections are less effective against Ômicron than earlier variants.
“We are working non-stop to drive the booster program to maximize immunity after the Ômicron variant appears,” said Javid.
(Reporting by Alistair Smout; Editing by Mark Heinrich)
Reference: CNN Brasil
