The First AstraZeneca Vaccine Recipient Is an 82-Year-Old Grandfather (Comprehensive)

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Hyun-ui Cho] The first administration record of the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) vaccine jointly developed by Oxford University and AstraZeneca went to an elderly man native to Oxford.

According to BBC on the 4th (local time), Brian Pinker (82), a kidney disease dialysis patient, received the AstraZeneca vaccine at Oxford University Hospital that morning.

Mr. Pinker became the first recipient of the AstraZeneca vaccine and said, "I am very pleased."

Born and raised in Oxford, southern England, he said, "I am very proud that the vaccine was developed in Oxford," and added, "I can look forward to celebrating the 48th wedding anniversary with my wife Shirley this year."

Sam Foster, Chief Nursing Officer at Oxford University Hospital who administered the vaccine to Mr. Pinker, said, "It is a great honor to be able to administer the first Oxford vaccine here, just a few hundred meters from where the vaccine was developed."

In the UK, the AstraZeneca vaccine is regarded as a 'domestic vaccine.' The UK government pre-purchased 100 million doses of the AstraZeneca vaccine, securing the largest quantity among various vaccine candidates.

530,000 doses of the AstraZeneca vaccine have already been transported to hospitals nationwide, and vaccinations began today at six major hospitals located in Oxford, London, Sussex, Lancashire, and Warwickshire. Vaccinations are also expected to start soon at hundreds of local GP clinics and nursing homes across the country.

Health Secretary Matt Hancock called the AstraZeneca vaccine rollout an "important moment" in the pandemic response, saying, "The coming weeks will be tough, but this is the way out."

The Department of Health has instructed GPs and local vaccine service officials to ensure that all nursing home residents complete vaccination by the end of this month.

Currently, vaccinations are being conducted at 730 locations across the UK. The Department of Health expects to surpass 1,000 locations within this week. Secretary Hancock also stated that vaccine doses for next week's vaccinations will be transported early this week following the initial batch.

Unlike the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine, which requires storage and preservation at ultra-low temperatures of minus 70 degrees Celsius, the AstraZeneca vaccine can be stored at normal refrigerator temperatures, making the vaccination process much easier.

The UK began administering the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine on the 8th of last month, the first in the world, and has already vaccinated over one million people.

The start of AstraZeneca vaccine administration is notable as it comes amid the UK’s inability to control the spread caused by COVID-19 variants. The UK reported 54,990 new daily COVID-19 cases yesterday, marking six consecutive days with over 50,000 cases.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson, faced with the continued spread of the virus, said yesterday that stronger restrictions might be necessary. Keir Starmer, leader of the main opposition Labour Party, called for the introduction of a third lockdown.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.