Grandmother, 90, makes history as the first person in the world to receive COVID-19 jab

90-year-old Margaret Keenan became the first woman in the world to receive the Pfizer vaccine outside of clinical trials on Tuesday 8 December.

The grandmother of four made history when she got the potentially lifesaving birthday present at Coventry’s University Hospital as the United Kingdom (U.K.) launched its nationwide coronavirus immunization campaign.

“I feel so privileged to be the first person vaccinated against COVID-19. It’s the best early birthday present I could wish for because it means I can finally look forward to spending time with my family and friends in the New Year after being on my own for the most of the year,” Keenan, who turns 91 in a week’s time said.

Meet Maggie: the first person in the world to receive a fully-tested and approved Covid-19 vaccine on the NHS. pic.twitter.com/eb2ijTMSLW

The U.K. became the first country in the world to approve the Pfizer vaccine last week. The British government gave an emergency use approval for the vaccine developed by Pfizer and BioNTech last week. U.K. has ordered 40 million doses and since each person needs two doses, that will be enough to vaccinate 20 million people in a country of 67 million.

Recipients of the vaccine are expected to receive a booster jab three weeks after receiving the first to ensure their protection against the virus.

The vaccine marks a turning point in the battle against the virus that has infected more than 67 million people and has left 1.5 million dead around the world.

According to the U.K. government, the vaccine will be given first to frontline health workers, long-term care facility workers and those over 80 years old. The shots will also be made available first at hospitals before being distributed to doctor's offices around the country.