"It's a historical event for Filipinos all across the globe"

A Filipino British nurse has administered the world’s first Coronavirus vaccine outside of trials.

May Parsons administered the Pfizer/BioNtech Covid-19 vaccine to 90-year-old Margaret Keenan in Coventry. Keenan is the first person in the world to receive the Pfizer jab outside of trials.

Speaking to GMB, Parsons said she was proud to do her part in ending the pandemic.

“It’s a tremendous historical event and I’m so proud to contribute to stopping the pandemic,” Parsons said. “24 years ago I started my nursing career. I’ve been here in this trust for 17 years ever since I came to the UK. I’ve had a lot of experience in terms of injections.”

Parsons said Filipinos around the world should also be proud of the historic moment. “I’m really glad to be telling all the Filipinos in this country and everywhere in the world that we can make a difference and positive contributions to humanity,” she said.

“It’s a historical event for Filipinos all across the globe for making sure that we are proud of what we’ve achieved. I’m very proud to say to everyone that I’m a Filipino British making history.”

When asked how she felt after taking the vaccine, Keenan encouraged others to take the jab too. “I would say go for it,” she said. “Go for it because it’s free and it’s the best thing that has ever happened. Please go for it. If I can do it, so can you.”

In other news, 83% of English-speaking Asian Americans said they are willing to get a Coronavirus vaccine.