Indian-origin man first to get COVID-19 vaccine in UK

New Delhi : One of the first people in the world to get coronavirus vaccine in the UK is an Indian-origin man from North-East of England. The man, Hari Shukla, will be receiving his Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine shot at a hospital in Newcastle on Tuesday.

The 87-year-old man will be receiving vaccination alongside his wife Ranjan, 83, at the city’s Royal Infirmary today.

He is a father-of-four and grandfather-of-nine has dedicated most of his life in promoting race relations, primarily in his role as director of the Tyne and Wear Racial Equality Council.

According to a report by news agency PTI, the man feels that it is his duty to take first of the two-dose vaccine. 

PTI quoted him as saying, “I’m so pleased we are hopefully coming towards the end of this pandemic and I am delighted to be doing my bit by having the vaccine, I feel it is my duty to do so and do whatever I can to help.”

He added, “Having been in contact with the NHS (National Health Service), I know how hard they all work and the greatest respect for them they have a heart of gold and I am grateful for everything they have done to keep us safe during the pandemic.”

December 8 marks a huge day in UK as the nation plans to roll out coronavirus vaccine in public domain. "I am immensely proud of the scientists who developed the vaccine, members of the public who took part in trials, and the NHS who have worked tirelessly to prepare for rollout," said Boris Johnson.

(Image)