Which COVID-19 vaccine did the Queen have? Is it confirmed? Elizabeth II recently opened up about her vaccination experience.
The COVID-19 pandemic has ushered in UK lockdowns since March 2020 and many have mourned the passing of friends, family and beyond over the past year.
Throughout 2020, people have turned their hopes towards a vaccine and numerous have been approved for use in the UK. The BBC confirmed on Thursday, February 25th 2021 that over 18 million people in the UK have received at least one dose of the coronavirus vaccine.
Assessing the current situation, the UK vaccine programme has entered its second phase, as everyone included in the first four priority groups – people aged 70 and over, care home residents, healthcare workers and those shielding – was offered vaccination by mid-February.
Those in the remaining groups are now being considered and the Queen has spoken out encouraging the public to receive the vaccine when offered.
So, which vaccine did the Queen have? Has it been confirmed?
Which COVID-19 vaccine did the Queen have?
- As of yet, it’s uncertain which of the COVID-19 vaccines the Queen received.
As highlighted by the BBC, the Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh both received their first doses of the vaccine on Saturday, January 9th 2021.
While it’s unknown which vaccine she was given, it’s likely that it was either the Pfizer-BioNTech or Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine, as both had already been approved by UK regulators on this date.
The vaccine from US company Moderna was approved for UK use, but only the day before – Friday, January 8th 2021 – the Queen received hers.
The Queen recounts her COVID-19 vaccine experience
Endorsing the vaccination programme, the Queen offered her thoughts on potential hesitancy to receive the vaccination while in conversation with the senior responsible officers overseeing the rollout across all four UK nations.
She argued that those determined to refuse the jab “ought to think about other people rather than themselves”.
Additionally, she added: “Once you’ve had the vaccine you have a feeling of, you know, you’re protected, which is I think very important.”
As for her own personal experience, she explained that “it didn’t hurt at all” receiving the vaccine, acknowledging that the process was “very quick.”
The Telegraph includes that the Royal Family has played a significant role in helping to publicise the campaign, after having visited vaccination hubs and so forth to speak with health staff etc.
It has been acknowledged that senior royals are “very engaged” with the rollout and a palace source has noted that the Royals have “been encouraged to support (the campaign) and have been very keen to do so”.