Black Country residents welcome news of vaccine
People in the Black Country have welcomed the news that the UK will get a Covid vaccine.
The UK has become the first country in the world to approve a jab from Pfizer and BioNTech, paving the way for mass vaccinations.
It is unclear who will get the jabs but an influential Government advisory group on vaccinations say care home staff and residents should be prioritised.
Most people the Express & Star interviewed in Wolverhampton city centre welcomed the news.
Hayley Meenan, 52, from Wolverhampton, believed this was a positive step in the fight against Covid, adding: "I am definitely getting it. I would take the vaccine today."
Helen Turner, 55, from Wolverhampton, added: "I welcome news of the vaccine. We are getting older so they can give me a jab now.
"Health workers are probably going to get it first."
She added: "I have still got my mother, she is 83-years-old and a Jehovah's Witness. She can have it as long as it is not made from blood."
Graham Soden, 83, and Jean, 76, from Wolverhampton, were also pleased at this.
"Of course I welcome this," said Mrs Soden.
"I will be happy if it was affordable and if it was approved first, it seems to be. I would be happy taking it."
Welcomed
Dawn Toule, 64, from Wolverhampton, said such a vaccination would allow people to get their lives back.
Mrs Toule sad: "I think it is fantastic. It is the best news the country has had in a long time, especially after the second lockdown.
"I have full confidence in taking the vaccine. I just want my life back. I want to go to Spain again."
One man, who wished to be unnamed, added: "Get it rolled out as quick as possible."
However, not all were impressed by the news.
One woman, who was wearing a face mask, and wished to remain anonymous, said: "The very fact that five to six countries developed a new vaccine with very little time doesn't sit right with me.
"There is more questions than answers.
"Right across the media, nobody is willing to question this on mainstream television. You have to go to the internet."
Vaccination against Covid-19 will begin early next week.
Health Secretary Matt Hancock told MPs that delivery of the vaccine would be according to "clinical prioritisation and operational necessity".
He said that the need to hold this vaccine at -70C makes the jab "particularly challenging to deploy."
