AROUND 300 Chelsea Pensioners were delighted to be offered their vaccinations against Covid-19.
Bob Sullivan, a 98-year-old veteran of D-Day, called it: “The best early Christmas gift we could hope for.”
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The Pfizer jab was given to military veterans at the Royal Hospital Chelsea by Pippa Nightingale, chief nurse at Chelsea and Westminster Hospital, below.
She said it was a “real honour”, adding: “They’ve fought to protect us and now we can return the favour.”
Hero Bob said: “We will have a real spring in our step as we head into our locked-down Christmas.”
Elderly residents in care homes in England with more than 50 beds are also being offered the vaccine over the coming weeks.
Care Minister Helen Whately said: “Many care staff and residents have already been able to receive their first jabs, including the Chelsea Pensioners who fought to protect us. With more than 500,000 people already vaccinated, this is the biggest immunisation programme in UK history.”
Chelsea Hospital governor General Sir Adrian Bradshaw added: “With an average age of 82, the Chelsea Pensioners are in the highest priority group.
“They send their warmest wishes to the nation as they too batten down the hatches to celebrate a socially-distanced Christmas.”
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