Bob Geldof, Michael Palin and Michael Parkinson will take coronavirus vaccine ‘without fear’
EXCLUSIVE: Some of the biggest household names from music, TV and the stage, including showbiz knights Bob Geldof, Michael Palin and Michael Parkinson, said they would not hesitate getting the jab
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A string of celebrities have declared they WILL have the coronavirus vaccine.
An extraordinary rallying call was led by showbiz knights Bob Geldof, 69, Michael Palin, 77, and Michael Parkinson, 85.
Parky said: “I’m first in the queue.”
Monty Python legend Palin added: “I don’t have any qualms.”
Their support came after a wave of negativity from so-called anti-vaxxers who oppose the jab.
Stars of music, stage and screen today gave the Covid vaccine a huge shot in the arm –saying they can’t wait to have it.
After weeks of scaremongering from anti-vaxxers, the wave of support was perfectly timed as the vaccine is rolled out this week.
Celebs backing the jab included TV anchor Eamonn Holmes, Strictly judge Craig Revel-Horwood, Mastermind host John Humphrys, chat king Sir Michael Parkinson, Monty Python’s Sir Michael Palin, singer Lulu and rockers Roger Daltrey and Ronnie Wood.
- Live Aid hero bob Geldof, 69, led the rallying call, saying: “I will absolutely and immediately take it as soon as humanly possible.” As he spoke, preparations began for Tuesday’s first jabs. The Department of Health and Ministry of Defence confirmed millions of doses made in Belgium will be flown to the UK in military planes to avoid any Brexit chaos at ports. And more families were grieving as the UK Covid death toll rose 397 to 61,014.
The Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine has been hailed as a route out of the Covid nightmare.
This Morning star Eamonn, 61, told the Sunday Mirror: “I will definitely take the vaccine. I reckon I’ve got more to lose by not taking it.
“Life is for living, not wasting. I have too much to do and see and to pack into whatever is left of my life rather than waste years hiding away.”
The Who star Daltrey, 76, echoed one of his hits, saying: “My generation avoided some of the worst diseases known to man thanks to being vaccinated when we were young. We owe it to the young to prove its safety.”
Rolling Stones guitarist Wood, 73, said: “It’s a blessing.”
And Lulu, 72, was happy to Shout about the vaccine, exclaiming: “I cannot wait. I have no fears or qualms about it.
“I’m looking forward to being able to hug loved ones and get back to normal.”
Celebrity backing will help to allay fears after it emerged a third of Brits said they were unlikely to take a vaccine. An Opinium poll found 35 per cent had concerns over safety, effectiveness and possible side-effects.
US infectious disease expert Anthony Fauci stoked fears by suggesting the UK rushed its approval.
But he backtracked, saying he had full confidence in the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Authority, which declared the vaccine safe after rigorous investigation.
The MHRA endorsement was greeted by yet more famous names who spoke to the Mirror.
TV’s Parky, 85, said: “I am first in the queue. I have no worries about it whatsoever. I trust British medicine implicitly.”
Ex-BBC newsman Humphrys, 77, told us: “You’d have to be insane not to take it. I cannot understand why anybody would be reluctant to do so, vaccinations have saved millions of lives.”
Strictly’s Craig, 55, said: “I would 100 per cent go for it, when my age group is allowed. Anything to not get the virus or pass it on.”
Comedy legend and TV globetrotter Michael Palin, 77, said: “I don’t have any qualms about taking it at all. I’m totally okay with the testing that has been done.”
Coronation Street star Dame Maureen Lipman, 74, added: “There is no alternative so you have to do it. And I will be.”
Millionaire gym tycoon and TV personality Duncan Bannatyne, 71, said he would “take the vaccine as soon as I’m allowed to”.
Weakest Link quiz host Anne Robinson, 76, agreed: “Yes of course I will be taking the vaccine. I want to live as long as I can.”
News veteran and Rip Off Britain host Angela Rippon, 76, said: “I have enormous faith. It’s a terrific step forward for medical science.”
The messages were echoed by For The Love of Dogs host Paul O’Grady, 65, entertainer Christopher Biggins, 71, Who Wants to Be a Millionaire? winner Judith Keppel, 78, and interior design guru Kelly Hoppen, 61.
The £600million rollout of the Pfizer-Bio NTech vaccine is the biggest immunisation programme in British history.
It comes as the economy – and mental health – is reeling from the effects of lockdown and closures, which have cost an estimated 700,000 jobs.
Immunisation begins on Tuesday at 50 hospital hubs.
The UK’s 3.4million over-80s and care home workers will be first to receive the jab, along with NHS workers who are at higher risk.
Patients aged 80-plus who are attending hospital as an outpatient, and those being discharged home after a hospital stay, will also be in the first wave.
Some 418,000 people live in England’s care homes and staff – and residents aged over 80 – will be bussed to hospital hubs.
Plans on taking the vaccine into care homes for those unable to travel are yet to be finalised.
That is due to the logistical challenge of processing the vaccine.
It must be stored at -70C – then used in a certain time frame.
The vaccine – two jabs 21 days apart – involves a simple injection in the shoulder.
GPs and other primary care staff are on standby to start delivering the jab from next week.
The first batch of vaccines from Belgium will have 800,000 doses – enough for 400,000 people, shared fairly across the four nations.
The UK has ordered 40 million doses of the Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine, enough to vaccinate 20 million.
Another 100million doses from the University of Oxford and Astrazeneca are also lined up.
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