Margaret Keenan, the first person in the world to receive a Covid-19 jab outside of clinical trials, today returned to University Hospital, Coventry, to receive a booster shot as part of the next phase of the NHS vaccination programme.

The 91-year-old grandmother of four, known as Maggie, was reunited with May Parsons, the matron who administered her initial jab in December last year.

May was also receiving her top-up vaccination, as are other healthcare workers at University Hospitals Coventry and Warwickshire NHS Trust and around the country.

Maggie, a former jewellery shop assistant who only retired five years ago, has two children and four grandchildren and said she was ‘delighted’ to get the extra dose before the winter.

“I’m happier that I had the jab,” she said. “I’m happy now that I can be free, it’s like the good old times.

“It was great to have May here, we have become a double act! It was such big news all around the world.

“Go and get the jab, it will save lives. I don’t really know what stops people from having it, because it’s so quick. Do go and get your vaccination.”

May added: “It was wonderful to see Maggie again, to see her looking well and to be able to give her a hug this time!

“Getting the booster is imperative if you want maximum protection this winter.

“Even if people are not doing it for themselves and are healthy and well, they are doing it for other people that are vulnerable.

“It is a community responsibility – I cannot say it loudly enough, get vaccinated and get protected.”

NHS Chief Executive, Amanda Pritchard, praised Maggie and May for launching the NHS Covid-19 vaccination programme along with all the staff and volunteers involved in the biggest and most successful rollout in health service history.

She said: “The world watched in December as Maggie Keenan became the first in the world to get a Covid-19 vaccine and, since then, more than 40 million others across the country have joined her, which is testament to the incredible efforts of NHS staff and volunteers working at speed to protect people from this awful virus.

“It is wonderful to see Maggie get her top-up jab today, protecting herself and those around her as we go into the winter.

“It is great to see so much enthusiasm for the booster vaccine in such a short period of time. If you’re invited, please do come forward for your boost of protection.”

The jabs for Maggie and May came shortly after the NHS invited more than one and a half million people eligible for the Covid-19 booster vaccine to book an appointment.

Those who had their second vaccine more than six months ago and are eligible can book via www.nhs.uk/covid-vaccination or by calling 119.