'Best thing I've ever done:' says first-ever recipient of coronavirus vaccine By Friday Apr 23, 2021 Margaret Keenan, 90, is applauded by staff as she returns to her ward after becoming the first patient in Britain to receive the Pfizer/BioNtech COVID-19 vaccine at University Hospital, at the start of the largest ever immunisation programme in British history, in Coventry, Britain December 8, 2020. Britain is the first country in the world to start vaccinating people with the Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine. Jacob King/Pool via REUTERS Margaret Keenan, 91, hopes her inaugural vaccine will inspire others to follow in her steps. Says getting the vaccine was the "best thing [she's] ever done."