Lord of the Rings actor and LGBT rights activist Ian McKellen received the Pfizer-BioNTech coronavirus vaccine at the Queen Mary University Hospital in London yesterday (December 16).
The 81-year-old was among one of the first groups eligible in the UK for the vaccine for belonging to his over-80 age group. Frontline workers and home workers were also among the first to receive the initial doses.
"It's a very special day," he wrote of the experience. "Anyone who has lived as long as I have is alive because they have had previous vaccination."
He continued: "The take-up amongst the older generation will be 100% — it ought to be — because you're having it not just for yourself but for people who you are close to — you're doing your bit for society."
McKellen will have to return for the second dose of the Pfizer vaccine after 21 days, but he shared that the process was "painless" and "convenient" nonetheless.
"I would have no hesitation in recommending it to anyone," he said. "I feel very lucky to have had the vaccine."
Watch footage of the actor receiving the vaccine below [via Daily Mail], where you can also find his full statement posted to Instagram earlier today.
The 81-year-old was among one of the first groups eligible in the UK for the vaccine for belonging to his over-80 age group. Frontline workers and home workers were also among the first to receive the initial doses.
"It's a very special day," he wrote of the experience. "Anyone who has lived as long as I have is alive because they have had previous vaccination."
He continued: "The take-up amongst the older generation will be 100% — it ought to be — because you're having it not just for yourself but for people who you are close to — you're doing your bit for society."
McKellen will have to return for the second dose of the Pfizer vaccine after 21 days, but he shared that the process was "painless" and "convenient" nonetheless.
"I would have no hesitation in recommending it to anyone," he said. "I feel very lucky to have had the vaccine."
Watch footage of the actor receiving the vaccine below [via Daily Mail], where you can also find his full statement posted to Instagram earlier today.
