William Shakespeare from Warwickshire on December 8 became the second person in the world to receive the Pfizer/BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine – marking the start of the UK’s mass vaccination programme against the deadly disease, according to Reuters.
The resident of Warwickshire, in the West Midlands of England, was given the COVID shot at the University Hospital Coventry, immediately catching the attention of social media due to him sharing the name with the famous English playwright.
Second patient to get the COVID jab at University Hospital Coventry – would you believe it….William Shakespeare from Warwickshire pic.twitter.com/y0LzxgbJ9w
— Hugh Pym (@BBCHughPym) December 8, 2020
Followed by the news, Twitterati has reacted hilariously.
Check out the reactions here:
Oh my god pic.twitter.com/ESMCdIJ3tu
— Lady Susan Of Stroodshire (@stroodsue) December 8, 2020
Vax not his ghost: O, let him pass! he hates him much
That would upon the rack of this tough world
Stretch him out longer. https://t.co/nRHCGfEh73— Michael Govern Ready (@mikegove12) December 8, 2020
Many people saying “you couldn’t write this stuff!” about the 2nd person vaccinated being William Shakespeare.
I mean, he probably could.#vaccine #vday https://t.co/7klkRenAZS
— Gene McGurk (@magawk) December 8, 2020
Thy life’s a miracle https://t.co/mF5VdM2v33
— Rupert Myers (@RupertMyers) December 8, 2020
According to the BBC, up to four million doses are expected to be administered by the end of December, targeting the elderly alongside some healthcare professionals.
Britain began rolling out the COVID-19 vaccine developed by Pfizer and BioNTech on Tuesday, the first Western country to start vaccinating its general population in what was hailed as a decisive watershed in defeating the coronavirus.
Margaret Keenan, a 90-year-old grandmother, became the first person in the world to receive the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine. Video footage shows her wearing a medical mask along with a blue t-shirt and cardigan while she receives the shot from nurse May Parsons.
Keenan said, “I feel so privileged to be the first person vaccinated against COVID-19, it’s the best early birthday present I could wish for because it means I can finally look forward to spending time with my family and friends in the new year after being on my own for most of the year.”