Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

Coronavirus: Great British Bake-Off judge Prue Leith among first to receive ‘painless’ Pfizer vaccine

Celebrity promotes jab by sharing photo of procedure on Twitter

Tom Embury-Dennis
Tuesday 15 December 2020 17:07 EST
Comments
Prue Leith becomes one of first celebrities to receive Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine
Prue Leith becomes one of first celebrities to receive Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine (Prue Leith/Twitter)

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

Prue Leith has become one of the UK’s first celebrities to receive the “painless” Pfizer-BioNTech coronavirus vaccine. 

The Great British Bake Off judge shared a photo of the procedure on Twitter on Tuesday.

“Who wouldn't want immunity from #Covid19 with a painless jab?? #vaccine,” the 80-year-old tweeted, alongside an image of her wearing a mask having just received the jab from a medic. 

The rollout of the vaccine has begun in the UK, starting with healthcare workers, people living in care homes and the elderly.

Those receiving the Pfizer vaccine will be given a booster jab 21 days after their first dose to ensure the best chance of being protected against the virus.

Prime minister Boris Johnson praised Leith for getting vaccinated, tweeting: “Great news Prue! Wonderful to see so many in the UK getting vaccinated.

“Many thanks to the health workers who are working tirelessly to get this vaccine to people up and down the country.”

Leith was praised for sharing her experience online by some on social media.

One Twitter user wrote: “Well done Prue. It doesn't hurt, protects the most vulnerable and works.”

Another said: “Good on you, Prue, for being an example of reason and sanity!”

After production of the Great British Bake Off was initially halted due to the coronavirus pandemic, filming eventually finished in August.

The Channel 4 competition later aired over the course of September, October and November.

Last week, music star Marty Wilde was another celebrity inoculated in the first wave of vaccinations.

After being vaccinated, the 81-year-old singer said it was “an easy experience”.

He added: “You look at the amount of people who have died over this last six to eight months and then you think how you can protect yourself.

“It's common sense. The whole thing is just the right thing to do. You need an injection.”

Additional reporting by PA

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in