'Momentous day' as first Teesside patient receives new Covid-19 vaccine

The Pfizer/BioNTech jab was given at James Cook University Hospital in Middlesbrough at 7.36am today, December 8, about an hour after 90-year-old Margaret Keenan became the first person in the UK to receive the vaccine.

The start of the vaccine rollout across the Tees Valley comes as South Tees Hospital NHS Foundation Trust was chosen by NHS England as one of 50 hubs across the country to be part of the first phase.

Tees Valley Mayor Ben Houchen hailed it as ‘a momentous day’.

He said: “Just 12 months after the discovery of coronavirus and eight months on from the start of the pandemic, jabs of hope are going into people’s arms, which is testament to the hard work and dedication of scientists in the UK and from around the world.

“With this vaccine now being given to local people here in the Tees Valley we can definitely say there is light at the end of the tunnel, but we must not let our guard down because of this news.”

Mayor Houchen said it will take time before the majority of people in the region receive the vaccine with those aged over 80 and the most vulnerable being offered it first.

He added: “Until the wider roll out of the vaccine we must all continue to follow the rules – this means wearing a face covering, keeping a safe distance from each other and regularly washing our hands.

“People and businesses have made huge sacrifices throughout this pandemic and local communities have pulled together like never before and it has been heartening to see the level of community spirit, creating light during one of our darkest periods.”

He said the pandemic has been one of the heaviest knocks Teesside has experienced but was confident the area will come back stronger.

Health Secretary Matt Hancock said: “This coming week will be an historic moment as we begin vaccination against Covid-19.

“We are prioritising the most vulnerable first and over-80s, care home staff and NHS colleagues will all be among the first to receive the vaccines.

“We are doing everything we can to make sure we can overcome significant challenges to vaccinate care home residents as soon as possible too.”

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