GEORGE CROSS AWARD. Queen Elizabeth II (left) presents the George Cross to Filipina nurse May Parsons (2nd from right) at Windsor Castle on July 12, 2022. Parsons administered the first Covid-19 vaccine outside of clinical trials to Maggie Keenan on Dec. 8, 2020. (Photo courtesy of The Royal Family)
MANILA – May Parsons, the Filipino nurse who delivered the first coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) vaccination in the world, represented the National Health Service (NHS) England as Queen Elizabeth II awarded the prestigious George Cross to the organization.
The Queen, who was accompanied by Prince Charles, also presented the award to the representatives of NHS in Wales, Scotland, and Northern Island.
The George Cross, given at Windsor Castle on July 12, was instituted to recognize “acts of the greatest heroism or the most courage in circumstances of extreme danger.”
The NHS said it acknowledged the “courage, compassion, and dedication” of its staff during the pandemic and their service to the public for the past 74 years.
Parsons, a Modern Matron for Respiratory Services at the University Hospitals Coventry and Warwickshire Trust, administered the first Covid-19 vaccine outside of clinical trials to Maggie Keenan on Dec. 8, 2020.
Since then, the NHS in England has delivered more than 125 million vaccinations, including 33 million boosters.
NHS chief executive Amanda Pritchard, who attended the awarding, said May is “one of hundreds of thousands of our fantastic members of staff that have served the country with compassion and dedication throughout the pandemic."
"The world watched when May administered the first-ever Covid vaccine outside of clinical trials to Maggie Keenan in Coventry a year-and-a-half ago, kicking off the largest and most successful vaccination program in NHS history," Pritchard said.
“We would not be where we are today without the efforts of May and countless others who went above and beyond to roll out the vaccine at speed and precision."
Parsons, meanwhile, said vaccinating Keenan with the first approved Covid-19 vaccine was a "wonderful moment that I am so proud of."
“That moment kick-started the biggest and fastest vaccination program in our history. It prevented hospital admissions, it got the country back to normal and it saved lives," she said.
“All of the staff in hospitals and our communities went above and beyond during the pandemic to look after patients despite the risks the virus posed to themselves, across health and care, staff sacrificed so much to look after those in need. The George Cross is a fitting tribute to them all." (PNA)
