A WORCESTERSHIRE doctor is one of the first in the UK to have received the new Coronavirus vaccine.

Former Chase School student Dr Peter Fahey is almost certainly among the first people from Malvern and the country - to receive the new Pfizer BioNTech Covid-19 vaccine.

Dr Fahey, whose parents Steve and Michelle live near Poolbrook Common, was given the first dose of the vaccine on December 8, the first day it was rolled out across the UK.

The 24-year-old was at the front of the queue as he is working as a first year doctor at Prince Philip Hospital, Llanelli, in Wales, after graduating from Cardiff University in the summer.

He was among the first to receive the vaccine as he was working in a Covid ward.

“It was an incredible moment really,” said Dr Fahey said.

“It was also quite emotional in a way knowing that I was fortunate to be among the very first to get the first part of a vaccine which could have such a dramatic impact in the fight against Covid-19.

“And that is not just in Britain but across the whole world.

"It definitely felt historic, like a really big moment.

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"The speed with which this vaccine has been developed and delivered for use in the hospitals and health care community in such a short space of time is so cool and is an amazing testament to the co-operation between everyone involved.”

Dr Fahey and girlfriend Caitlin Ireland, who works at Morristown Hospital, Swansea, were thrust straight into the front line after graduating as the NHS was stretched to the limit.

“I was happy to get the first injection and now the second part comes in 21 days’ time and we are told that seven days after that there will be full protection, or at least 95 per cent chance we won’t have any symptoms,” Dr Fahey said.

“But obviously we will still take all necessary precautions when dealing with patients.”

Five days after the injection he reports no ill-effects apart from a slight, short-lived headache the morning after and a sore arm.

Older sister Ellen, also formerly of the Chase School and now working as a nurse at Gloucester Children’s Hospital, is still awaiting her vaccine injection.