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Queen Elizabeth Urges Those Not Taking Vaccine To 'Think About Other People' After Receiving Covid Jab

Queen Elizabeth Urges Those Not Taking Vaccine To 'Think About Other People' After Receiving Covid Jab

"They ought to think about other people rather than themselves."

Stewart Perrie

Stewart Perrie

Queen Elizabeth II has urged people to the coronavirus vaccine after receiving the jab herself.

There are several vaccines on offer in the UK and millions have already taken up the offer to get the jab.

But the reigning monarch has sought to quell fears that it could be dangerous by giving her personal experience of getting the vaccine.

The 94-year-old appeared in a video call with NHS officials who are in charge with the vaccination rollout and delivery.

The Queen told them: "It's a bit like a plague isn't it? Because it's not only here that we've got the virus, it's everywhere. Once you have the vaccine you have a feeling of you're protected... as far as I can make out it was quite harmless.

"It was very quick, and I've had lots of letters from people who have been very surprised by how easy it was to get the vaccine."

But then she rounded on the people who haven't received the vaccine and aren't planning to get the jab.

PA

"It's obviously difficult for people if they've never had a vaccine, they ought to think about other people rather than themselves," she said.

"I think it is remarkable how quickly the whole thing has been done and so many people have had the vaccine already."

The Queen added: "It didn't hurt at all."

The UK set an ambitious goal of vaccinating at least 15 million people from four key groups by February 15 and it managed to achieve that feat.

The plan was to make sure that everyone over the age of 70 and who are clinically vulnerable had at least one dose of a vaccine, as well as offering vaccinations to every resident of a care home, and front line health and social care workers.

It's also possible that some people outside of the four main priority groups have received a dose as well, in a bid to stop doses going to waste.

Health secretary Matt Hancock released a statement when the goal was reached, which said: "I'm so proud of the team - we've hit this fantastic milestone in our battle against COVID-19. In less than 10 weeks we've jabbed over 15 million people across the UK.

"That's one in every four adults now starting to receive protection from this dreadful disease."

"This accomplishment is thanks to the incredible efforts of frontline NHS workers, vaccine volunteers, the armed forces and all those working in local and central government. The vaccine rollout shows what our country can achieve working together.

"There is so much more to do and I urge anyone eligible to step forward and take up their appointment. The vaccine is our route to freedom - we will beat this virus jab by jab."

Hancock hopes that advancements in treatment of the virus and vaccines could make Covid-19 a 'treatable disease' by the end of 2021.

Featured Image Credit: PA

Topics: UK News, News