영국서 화이자 백신 첫 접종... '세계 1호' 90세 할머니, "백신 맞아라"<br /><br />Our top story this morning.<br />After nearly a year of fighting the COVID-19 pandemic, Britain became the first country in the western world on Tuesday to begin a national immunization program against the virus.<br />Kim Hyo-sun has more on the remarkable day, which UK officials dubbed "V-day."<br />Cheers filled Britain's hospitals on Tuesday as patients rolled up their sleeves to receive the West's first COVID-19 vaccines.<br />On the day the country described as "V-day,"... the first shot happened early in the morning.<br />The first recipient was a grandmother who turns 91 next week.<br />"I thought it was a joke to tell you the truth to start with. I couldn't believe it. But, you know, I'm happy it's happened and now I've done it and hopefully it will help other people to come along and do as I did, you know, try and do the best to get rid of this terrible thing."<br />Medical professionals also welcomed the program.<br />"I'm feeling very emotional today. It is really quite remarkable. We, less than a year ago, were treating the first patient with COVID and we are now able to give a vaccine. The team has been incredible."<br />The aim is to protect the most vulnerable in the U.K. and return life to normal as soon as possible.<br />Britain plans to give the vaccine to senior citizens over the age of 80 and health and care staff.<br />Prime Minister Boris Johnson, who contracted and recovered from a severe case of COVID-19, hailed the roll-out,... but stressed that this is not the end of the pandemic.<br />"And so my message would be: it's amazing to see the vaccine come out, it's amazing this tremendous shot in the arm for the entire nation but we can't afford to relax now."<br />Britain plans to secure enough doses to immunize some 2 million people by year-end,... and is aiming to vaccinate 25 million people, or about 40 percent of the population going forward.<br />Kim Hyo-sun, Arirang News.<br />
