Since Margaret Keenan received the very first dose of the Pfizer-BioNtech vaccine in early December, 600,000 further UK patients have also received the vaccine. First in the queue were care home residents, care home workers, people aged over 80 and front-line health workers. However, should other key workers – such as teachers, delivery workers, police officers, supermarket staff, and more – be given the vaccine ahead of sections of the elderly population?
Certain other European countries are prioritising health care workers, the elderly, as well as other key workers, such as teachers. Considering that key workers are also exposed to the possibility of contracting coronavirus on a daily basis, it is just as important to vaccinate them early as it is the elderly population.
On the 30th December, the UK Government approved the Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine for use, so this will hopefully speed up the vaccination process. The Government also seems hopeful, with 530,000 doses available from next week. UK Prime Minister, Boris Johnson, expressed the breakthrough as ‘‘a triumph’’ for British science, adding that there will be enough doses to vaccinate as many adults that want the jab.
