Pinay nurse in UK administers first COVID-19 vaccine: "It's a huge honor"
The nurse who gave the first COVID-19 vaccine in the UK is a Filipina who considers it a huge honor to be part of such a historic milestone.
“It’s a huge honor to be the first person in the country to deliver a COVID-19 jab to a patient,” said May Parsons as quoted by the Irish Times.
Parsons gave the first Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine to 90-year-old Margaret Keenan at a local hospital in Central England.
Parsons has reportedly been working at the UK government’s National Health Service (NHS) for the last 24 years.
“The last few months have been tough for all of us working in the NHS, but now it feels like there is light at the end of the tunnel,” Parsons said.
Keenan also thanked May after her vaccination.
"I can’t thank May and the NHS staff enough who have looked after me tremendously," Keenan said.
In a tweet, British Ambassador to the Philippines Daniel Pruce also recognized Parsons.
"A fantastic moment! And great to see that the vaccine is administered by Nurse May Parsons from the Philippines - one of the many thousands of Filipino healthcare workers making such an enormous contribution to the NHS," Pruce said in a tweet shown below.
A fantastic moment! And great to see that the vaccine is administered by Nurse May Parsons from the Philippines - one of the many thousands of Filipino healthcare workers making such an enormous contribution to the #NHS https://t.co/t1T5Wy8IzO
— Daniel Pruce ?? (@DanielPruce) December 8, 2020
In an interview with Good Morning Britain, Parsons said she made sure that Keenan was at ease.
“I’ve had lots of practice, so it’s just making sure of doing the right policy in making sure she’s alright and comfortable,” said Parsons.
Parsons added that she’s glad to be part of an historical event, and to be able to tell others that she is a Filipino.
“I’m really glad to be telling all the Filipinos in this country and everywhere in the world that we could make a difference and make a positive contribution to humanity, Parsons said.
“I think it’s a historical event for Filipinos all across for making sure that we are proud of what we have achieved and contribute to everyone and the care that we give. I’m really proud to say to everyone 'I'm a Filipino-British today making history.'”
You can watch the entire clip below.
‘I was so proud to contribute to stopping the pandemic.’
— Good Morning Britain (@GMB) December 8, 2020
May Parsons is the nurse to give the first Covid-19 vaccine in the world.
She’s worked at the trust in Coventry for 17 years since she arrived in the UK from the Philippines.
She speaks exclusively to @SwainITV. pic.twitter.com/sCL9VxDx8O