‘I feel euphoric’: Sir Ian McKellen receives Covid-19 vaccine

Sir Ian McKellen has joined thousands of Brits, and become one of the first celebrities in the world, to get a Covid-19 vaccine.

National Health Service (NHS) England shared a photo of the 81-year-old receiving the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine on Thursday, alongside a message from the Lord of the Rings star. In the picture, Ian can be seen giving the thumbs up.

“It’s a very special day, I feel euphoric,” he wrote. “Anyone who has lived as long as I have is alive because they have had previous vaccinations, the take up amongst the older generation will be 100 per cent — it ought to be — because you’re having it not just for yourself but for people who you are close to — you’re doing your bit for society.”

The actor went on to say that he feels “very lucky to have had the vaccine” and urged others to go and get the jab.

“Of course; it’s painless, it’s convenient and getting in touch and meeting NHS staff and saying thank you to them for how hard they’ve been working is a bonus, I would have no hesitation in recommending it to anyone.”

 

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The United Kingdom became the first Western country to roll out the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine earlier this month. However, it’s not come without it challenges as two NHS workers suffered allergic reactions a day after receiving the new vaccine, prompting UK authorities to issue a worrying warning to people with a significant history of serious allergic reactions to not get the jab.

The news comes after the Australian Government unveiled its Covid-19 vaccine roll-out plan and announced that over-70s will be first in line to get the jab as soon as it becomes available. The plan, seen by the Herald Sun, also showed that people with certain pre-exisiting underlying medical conditions and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people will be among the first in line.

Health and aged care workers, group residential care workers and disability care workers will also be top priority, followed by prisoners, other detention inmates and guards, and people working in meat-processing plants. The next priority groups included emergency services providers, defence force personnel, public health staff and staff managing quarantine facilities. While those who work in the supply and distribution of essential goods and services – such as food, water, electricity and telecommunications – will be next in line.