The fight against coronavirus (COVID-19) takes a historic leap forward today after the UK begins nationwide rollout of the Pfizer/BioNtech vaccine.
Two hospitals in Greater Manchester – Salford Royal Hospital and Stockport NHS Foundation Trust (Stepping Hill Hospital – are among seven hubs in the North West, and dozens throughout the country, to begin administering the vaccine this week.
Health Secretary Matt Hancock has dubbed today’s historic rollout as “V-Day”.
People aged 80 and older, care home workers, and NHS workers who are at higher risk, are among those at the front of the queue to receive the jab after the UK last week became the first country in the world to approve the Pfizer/BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine for use outside of clinical trial.
?? The #COVID19 vaccination programme is starting in the UK today ??
Health services in each nation are vaccinating with the #COVID19Vaccine.
— Department of Health and Social Care (@DHSCgovuk) December 8, 2020
Pfizer and BioNTech reported final trial results showing its vaccine was 95% effective in preventing coronavirus (COVID-19) with no major safety concerns, and studies showed the jab to work in all age groups.
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The UK government is confirmed to have ordered 40 million doses of the vaccine – needing to be refrigerated at -70C (-94F) – which is enough to vaccinate 20 million people, as two doses are required, and there are 800,000 doses in the first batch, meaning 400,000 people will be vaccinated initially.
Margaret Keenan, 90, became the first person in the world to receive the jab as part of a vaccination programme this morning by nurse May Parsons at the Coventry University Hospital at 6.31am.
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She said being the first was “a privilege” and “the best early birthday present I could wish for” as it would mean she could spend time with her family and friends in the New Year “after being on my own for most of the year”.
She thanked Ms Parsons and the NHS staff for looking after her “tremendously”.
“My advice to anyone offered the vaccine is to take it – if I can have it at 90 then you can have it too”.
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Maggie, who turns 91 next week, said, 'I feel so privileged. It’s the best early birthday present I could wish for because I can finally look forward to spending time with my family and friends in the New Year after being on my own for most of the year.' https://t.co/rTflLt8DWbpic.twitter.com/XuaAtU4JUR
— NHS England and NHS Improvement (@NHSEngland) December 8, 2020
Nurse May Parsons said it was a “huge honour” to be the first in the country to deliver the vaccine to a patient.
She added: “The last few months have been tough for all of us working in the NHS, but now it feels like there is light at the end of the tunnel.”
Speaking on the nationwide rollout, Prime Minister Boris Johnson said: “The approval of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine for use in the UK marks a momentous step in our fight against COVID-19, but we still have some way to go and everyone needs to keep following the rules to keep the virus under control.”
Professor Stephen Powis – National Medical Director at the NHS – added on Sunday that the start of vaccinations “feels like the beginning of the end”, but warned the campaign will be a “marathon, not a sprint”.
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For the latest information, guidance and support during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic in the UK, please do refer to official sources at gov.uk/coronavirus.
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Middleton to receive a cinema and Metrolink as part of regeneration plans
Thomas Melia
Greater Manchester town Middleton is about to undergo a huge facelift thanks to a new regeneration project, including a new cinema and Metrolink tram station.
Middleton is one of many bustling communities that make up the borough of Rochdale, and with these new plans, the town might receive a fair few new visitors who want to know what it’s all about.
The Greater Manchester town is undergoing a huge transformation with regeneration plans confirming that Middleton will receive a brand new cinema complex along with an extended Metrolink line as part of the Bee Network expansion covering this area.
This is all thanks to Middleton teaming up with the Mayor to launch the Mayoral Development Corporation (MDC), which pushes forward regeneration plans for the town and future ideas.
Middleton Shopping Centre right in the heart of the town centre.Middleton Town Centre bustling as the markets take place.Credit: Steven Haslington (via Geograph)/@Rept0n1x (via Flickr)
The MDC considers lots of aspects of the town and even aims to create new homes and improve surrounding public spaces.
Middleton regeneration plans have been floated previously, but complications arose due to a lack of land and available funding, which ultimately brought these foundations to a halt.
Now it seems the green light has been lifted and Middleton is about to get a whole new facelift, which will not only improve the town economically but aesthetically too, along with the wider Rochdale region.
For many Middletonians, the idea of a cinema may have felt like a distant memory, with their last big screen location shutting down just over a decade ago.
This all-new high street regeneration will not only bring an array of shopping favourites back to the town centre but also the long-awaited return of a local cinema. Most importantly, the plans also include a slate of new housing, with an estimated 300 apartments set to be created in one building alone.
Early CGIs of the proposed Middleton regeneration plans.Grade II-listed Warwick Mill looks set to be turned into flats.Credit: Publicity Picture (supplied)
This all falls in line with the ‘Atom Valley scheme‘, which has been commissioned in order to generate over 20,000 job opportunities for people in Bury, Oldham and Rochdale.
The scheme also mentions how it aims to bring a combined economic boost of around £1 billion to these previously mentioned areas.
Rochdale Borough Council leader, Neil Emmott, said: “The development of 1.2 million square metres of employment space around the junction 19 area will help to generate 20,000 high-quality jobs and bring a £1 billion economic boost.”
Featured Image — Publicity Pictures (supplied via Rochdale Borough Council)
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Scouting For Girls announce stacked UK tour with Manchester date
Thomas Melia
British boyband Scouting For Girls are heading out on an extensive UK tour with dates up and down the country, including right here in Manchester.
If the first thing that pops into your mind when you read this headline is “I don’t know, I don’t know, I don’t know how we’ll make it through this”, then you’re on the right side of history.
Nearly 20 years since their single ‘She’s So Lovely’ reached catastrophic heights and had everyone putting on their best Roy Stride accent, Scouting For Girls are heading back on the road.
This UK tour announcement comes two years after their last project, The Place We Used To Meet, reached our ears and was coined by the band as “Our best work since our debut”.
It’s been 18 years since this Brit trio captivated our hearts with their eponymous debut album, which sold over one million copies and went number one on the UK official charts for two weeks.
Whether you know them for ‘Heartbeat’ or ‘Elvis Ain’t Dead’, it’s clear to say this band had their fair share of smash hit singles throughout the noughties.
This tour, however, celebrates the sophomore follow-up: Everybody Wants To Be On TV, which went on to continue their legacy and secure them their only number one, ‘This Ain’t A Love Song’, back in 2010.
Now, the boys are treating UK fans to an array of live performances, and if you can’t make one date, fear not because there are 20 different locations for you to choose from.
The group will also be playing the likes of Leeds, Sheffield, Newcastle and a whole host of other Northern cities, so you have plenty of chances to catch them.
If you can’t wait all the way until March 2026 for your next Scouting For Girls fix, lead singer Stride has his own cameo account where you can get the star to read out a message or even sing you a song: “‘Michaela Strachan’ in full, please?…”
Scouting For Girls are coming to O2 Apollo in Manchester on 21 March 2026, with tickets going on sale next Friday, 2 May at 10am HERE.
The Manc -
8th December 2020 
