UK health authorities roll out COVID-19 vaccines, becoming first country to begin immunization program
- 3 years ago
영국서 화이자 백신 첫 접종... '세계 1호' 90세 할머니, "백신 맞아라"
Our top story this morning.
After nearly a year of fighting the COVID-19 pandemic, Britain became the first country in the western world on Tuesday to begin a national immunization program against the virus.
Kim Hyo-sun has more on the remarkable day, which UK officials dubbed "V-day."
Cheers filled Britain's hospitals on Tuesday as patients rolled up their sleeves to receive the West's first COVID-19 vaccines.
On the day the country described as "V-day,"... the first shot happened early in the morning.
The first recipient was a grandmother who turns 91 next week.
"I thought it was a joke to tell you the truth to start with. I couldn't believe it. But, you know, I'm happy it's happened and now I've done it and hopefully it will help other people to come along and do as I did, you know, try and do the best to get rid of this terrible thing."
Medical professionals also welcomed the program.
"I'm feeling very emotional today. It is really quite remarkable. We, less than a year ago, were treating the first patient with COVID and we are now able to give a vaccine. The team has been incredible."
The aim is to protect the most vulnerable in the U.K. and return life to normal as soon as possible.
Britain plans to give the vaccine to senior citizens over the age of 80 and health and care staff.
Prime Minister Boris Johnson, who contracted and recovered from a severe case of COVID-19, hailed the roll-out,... but stressed that this is not the end of the pandemic.
"And so my message would be: it's amazing to see the vaccine come out, it's amazing this tremendous shot in the arm for the entire nation but we can't afford to relax now."
Britain plans to secure enough doses to immunize some 2 million people by year-end,... and is aiming to vaccinate 25 million people, or about 40 percent of the population going forward.
Kim Hyo-sun, Arirang News.
Our top story this morning.
After nearly a year of fighting the COVID-19 pandemic, Britain became the first country in the western world on Tuesday to begin a national immunization program against the virus.
Kim Hyo-sun has more on the remarkable day, which UK officials dubbed "V-day."
Cheers filled Britain's hospitals on Tuesday as patients rolled up their sleeves to receive the West's first COVID-19 vaccines.
On the day the country described as "V-day,"... the first shot happened early in the morning.
The first recipient was a grandmother who turns 91 next week.
"I thought it was a joke to tell you the truth to start with. I couldn't believe it. But, you know, I'm happy it's happened and now I've done it and hopefully it will help other people to come along and do as I did, you know, try and do the best to get rid of this terrible thing."
Medical professionals also welcomed the program.
"I'm feeling very emotional today. It is really quite remarkable. We, less than a year ago, were treating the first patient with COVID and we are now able to give a vaccine. The team has been incredible."
The aim is to protect the most vulnerable in the U.K. and return life to normal as soon as possible.
Britain plans to give the vaccine to senior citizens over the age of 80 and health and care staff.
Prime Minister Boris Johnson, who contracted and recovered from a severe case of COVID-19, hailed the roll-out,... but stressed that this is not the end of the pandemic.
"And so my message would be: it's amazing to see the vaccine come out, it's amazing this tremendous shot in the arm for the entire nation but we can't afford to relax now."
Britain plans to secure enough doses to immunize some 2 million people by year-end,... and is aiming to vaccinate 25 million people, or about 40 percent of the population going forward.
Kim Hyo-sun, Arirang News.