Stephen Fry gets COVID vaccine in peak Stephen Fry fashion: ‘Under the eye of the poets and sleeping kings and queens’
Stephen Fry received the first dose of the Oxford/AstraZeneca vaccine. (Twitter/Dave Benett/Getty)
Stephen Fry has received the first dose of the Oxford/AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine “under the eye of the poets” in Westminster Abbey.
The It’s a Sin star revealed his vaccine joy on Twitter on Wednesday (10 March), sharing a snap of himself receiving the jab in spectacular surroundings.
“Never felt a thing!” Stephen Fry wrote. He spoke of his pride at receiving the injection “under the eye of the poets of Poets Corner and a dozen sleeping kings and queens”.
“Thank you NHS staff and volunteers. Amazing work. Grateful to be armed against the enemy!”
Fry told PA that it was a “wonderful moment” and joked that he will have to put “petty rivalries” behind him after the Cambridge alumnus was given the Oxford jab.
“It’s a wonderful moment, but you feel that it’s not only helpful for your own health, but you know that you’re likely to be less contagious if you yourself happen to carry it,” Fry said.
Never felt a thing! Fancy the call to be jabbed sending me to Westminster Abbey of all spectacular places. Under the eye of the poets of Poets Corner and a dozen sleeping kings and queens… thank you #NHS staff and volunteers. Amazing work. Grateful to be armed against the enemy! pic.twitter.com/elVuwqjpQO
— Stephen Fry (@stephenfry) March 10, 2021
“It’s a symbol of being part of society, part of the group that we all want to protect each other and get this thing over and done with.
Stephen Fry says COVID-19 vaccines are a ‘vindication of science’
Stephen Fry said he was “so excited” to get his vaccine.
“It’s such a vindication of science and research and slow discovery and experiment,” he added. “It’s not over yet by any means but it’s a wonderful step.”
The only bad side of this, for a Cambridgeman, is to have an Oxford vaccine
He added: “The only bad side of this, for a Cambridgeman, is to have an Oxford vaccine. It’s the wrong colour blue as far as I’m concerned, but I suppose I’ll have to put those kinds of petty rivalries behind me.”
Stephen Fry heaped praise on the “gorgeous” NHS and said the work of individual healthcare workers is “so appreciated”.
“I know you hear this a lot and would love to hear it in other forms like financial ones, and we’re all behind you there, but I just want to say thank you,” he said.
“Good luck and stay safe yourselves.”
More than 22 million people in the UK have now received at least one dose of a coronavirus vaccine.
In February, Boris Johnson unveiled England’s roadmap out of lockdown as vaccine supplies ramp up and case numbers decrease.
According to the government’s plan, England could have “no legal limits on social contact” by 21 June at the earliest, paving the way for a resumption of social activities.
