A 90 -year-old British woman has become the first person in the world to receive a coronavirus vaccine as the UK begins its mass vaccination programme.

Margaret Keenan was given the injection — the first of 800,000 doses of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine that will be given in the coming weeks after the UK approved the vaccine last week — becoming the first country in the world to roll out the drug against Covid-19.

Keenan is reported to have received the vaccine at her local hospital in Coventry, central England, on Tuesday morning at 06.31GMT (9.31am Nairobi time), a week before she turns 91.

Up to four million people, among them those in their 80s and some healthcare staff considered to be the most vulnerable populations, are expected to receive the vaccine in the UK by the end of the month.

“It’s the best early birthday present I could wish for because it means 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,” Ms Keenan told Reuters.