Entertainment
Stephen Fry vaccinated at Westminster Abbey in what may be the fanciest jab centre yet
Comedian and actor Stephen Fry may have had what is the fanciest coronavirus vaccine so far, as he described receiving his jab at Westminster Abbey today as a ‘wonderful moment’.
Now we know it really doesn’t matter where one gets their vaccine, so long as they’re getting it, right? But you have to admit, seeing the photo of Fry receiving the inoculation with the glorious stained glass windows behind him is almost…dare we say, heavenly?
Responding to the lovely development with his trademark wit, the 63-year-old Cambridge University alumnus joked that he would have to ‘put petty rivalries behind me’, after being given a dose of the Oxford jab.
Westminster Abbey, which holds quite a lot of history over its centuries, opened its doors for the first time on Wednesday morning to administer vaccinations to members of the public.
The area dedicated to the vaccinations is an auspicious one, situated directly above Poet’s Corner where many literary giants including Charles Dickens and Geoffrey Chaucer are buried.
Fry said it was ‘extraordinary’ to have received his jab in such a ‘symbolic’ place, and he hailed the ‘vindication of science and research’.
He said, as per Press Association: ‘It’s a wonderful moment, but you feel that it’s not only helpful for your own health, but you know that you’re likely to be less contagious if you yourself happen to carry it.
‘It’s a symbol of being part of society, part of the group that we all want to protect each other and get this thing over and done with.
‘I’m so excited and it’s such a vindication of science and research and slow discovery and experiment.
‘It’s not over yet by any means but it’s a wonderful step.’
Referring to his own jab, he said it had been ‘painless’ but added a kick of the boot to his academic rival: ‘The only bad side of this, for a Cambridgeman, is to have an Oxford vaccine.
‘It’s the wrong colour blue as far as I’m concerned, but I suppose I’ll have to put those kinds of petty rivalries behind me.’
Speaking on the ‘positive vibe’ at the centre, the former QI host said he feels people are pleased to be making a difference.
He went on: ‘We all do this and it helps, and that’s a strong feeling especially in a world where we’re so divided in other things.
‘If we can unite at least about ourselves as a species, because it’s a pandemic… then maybe that will help us with other fights we have.’
Fry also praised the ‘gorgeous’ NHS and other staff members at centres across the country who are helping with the national vaccination effort.
The It’s A Sin star said: ‘It’s amazing to see the morale being so high after such a long time and the remarkable spirit that you have. It’s so appreciated.
‘I know you hear this a lot and would love to hear it in other forms like financial ones, and we’re all behind you there, but I just want to say thank you.
‘Good luck and stay safe yourselves.’
Fry joins many a celebrity and public figure to have received the Covid-19 vaccination so far, with This Morning’s Phillip Schofield one of the most recent to be jabbed.
Sharing a photo of him getting the vaccine on Tuesday, the 58-year-old wrote on his Instagram: ‘All painlessly jabbed up.
‘That couldn’t have been any easier, more efficient, or friendlier. Thank you to Lisa and the team.’
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