Yahoo Movies Solicitor, 28, and Sheffield couple among first to receive Moderna vaccine
Caroline and Mark Nicolls receive an injection of the Moderna vaccine
(PA)A 28-year-old solicitor is among the first people in England to receive the Mordena vaccine as the country begins its rollout.
Emily Sanderson received the jab, which had a 94.1 per cent efficacy against the disease in phase three trials, at the Sheffield Arena vaccination centre.
Ms Sanderson, who has an underlying health condition, was due to receive the AstraZeneca vaccine but it was changed to Moderna, the NHS said.
It comes after UK regulators said that people under the age of 30 should be offered an alternative to the AstraZeneca vaccine, saying there was a possible link between the jab and “extremely rare” blood clots.
Centres offering vaccines started using Moderna from Tuesday and the jab will now be used at over 20 sites including Reading’s Madejski Stadium in Reading, Berkshire.
Husband and wife Caroline and Mark Nicolls received their injection of the Moderna vaccine at the Madejski Stadium.
The couple had their jab administered by nurse Amy Nash.
The vaccine is the third to be approved for use in the UK and the Government has bought 17 million doses – enough to vaccinate about 8.5 million people.
One benefit of Moderna is that it can be safely stored at temperatures of around -20C , achievable in a standard pharmaceutical fridge – making distribution much easier.
This is a stark difference to what is needed for the Pfizer vaccine, which needs to be stored at -80C to -60C.
Speaking on Tuesday morning, Professor Stephen Powis, medical director for NHS England, said the rollout “marks another milestone” in the coronavirus vaccination programme.
“We now have a third jab in our armoury and NHS staff will be using it at more than 20 sites from this week, with more coming online as supplies expand.
“England’s vaccination programme is our hope at the end of a year like no other, so please do come forward and get your jab when you’re invited.
“It is safe, quick and effective – it will protect you and your loved ones,” he added.
England’s deployment of the jab comes after the first doses were delivered in Wales and Scotland last week.
Elle Taylor, 24, who works at a further education college in Llanelli was the first person to receive the jab from staff nurse Laura French at West Wales General Hospital’s outpatients department.
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