Actor Ian McKellen, 81, among first British celebs to receive Covid-19 vaccine

Actor Ian McKellen looks on as he receives the Pfizer-BioNTech Covid-19 vaccine from GP Dr Phil Bennett-Richards at the Arts Research Centre, Queen Mary University Hospital, in London, Britain December 16, 2020. Photo: Reuters

Sir Ian McKellen is the latest British celebrity to receive the Pfizer Covid-19 vaccine.

The Lord Of The Rings star re-posted National Health Service's tweet with the message: "I feel very lucky to have had the vaccine. I would have no hesitation in recommending it to anyone."

The 81-year-old actor told ITV News in an interview: “That’s the real bonus of all this, to watch and see what works in this country and what doesn’t work – and it seems to me the NHS is right at the top of the list for institutions that do work.

“Of course, I know I wouldn’t be alive if it wasn’t for the NHS. I’m a little bit older than the NHS but when I was a kid, having good medical treatment available when it was needed – what a wonderful notion."

He will be back in three weeks to receive the second dose of the vaccine.

Other British celebs who have received the vaccine include The Great British Bake Off star Prue Leith, 80; singer Marty Wilde, 81; and TV producer Michael Whitehall, 80.

Reuters reported that nearly 140,000 people in Britain have received the first dose of the Pfizer vaccine since Dec 8. Those over 80 are in the highest priority group.

Thumbs-up from Ian McKellen after receiving the Covid-19 vaccine. Photo: Reuters

I feel very lucky to have had the vaccine. I would have no hesitation in recommending it to anyone. https://t.co/gBLRR0OeJc — Ian McKellen (@IanMcKellen) December 17,2020