Elle Taylor from Ammanford in Wales was first to get the Moderna jab today and says it will help her care for her grandmother “properly and safely”
The US-developed, two-shot jab from Moderna, is said to be 94.1% effective against coronavirus based on evidence from clinical trials.
Unpaid carer Elle Taylor said she was “very excited and happy” to be the first in the UK to receive the jab earlier today.
The 24-year-old is an unpaid carer for grandmother in west Wales.
Currently, vaccinators in the North of Ireland are administering the Pfizer and AstraZeneca jabs to those eligible for a vaccine.
A Department of Health spokesperson said: “Northern Ireland is primarily using AstraZeneca in the vaccination programme.
“However, Pfizer continues to be used for first and second doses at some centres.
“All vaccines are effective in the fight against Covid-19 and the public are urged to get their vaccine when they are eligible to do so.”
The UK has ordered around 17 million doses of the jab and since NI will receive 2.85% of the total amount of vaccine that eventually becomes available – in line with the Barnett Formula – we will get just under 500,000.
However, the Department of Health is keeping tight lipped about when Moderna is expected in NI and where it is expected to be administered.
It is expected that when it becomes available it will help boost vaccines at vaccine centres here
Scotland’s First Minister Nicola Sturgeon says they have already received their first batch of the US vaccine, while the UK has revealed plans to roll it out in the next two weeks.
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