TRINIDADIAN-BRITISH former children’s television presenter Floella Benjamin has received the first dose of her COVID-19 vaccine.

The 71-year-old tweeted to her followers: “I’ve just had my COVID-19 vaccine and proudly wearing my ‘I’ve had the jab badge.”

More than 20,000 people have liked the tweet, at time of writing.

The doctor who administered the vaccine, believed to be Dr Hasnain Abbasi, also used to watch Floella on Play School, a British BBC series that she presented in the eighties.

Omar Din was also part of the team at AT medics that gave Floella her vaccine.

He also had fond memories of the programme.

He said: “What a pleasure – thank you Floella Benjamin for being a voice and role model for others to get their COVID-19 vaccination.

“Brought back so many fond childhood memories for all of us at Streatham Place today.”

Some remarked that Floella did not seem to have aged at all since they had watched the show.

Kerry McMahon said: “Good news Floella!

“I’m also one of your Play School babies and you still don’t look a day older than when I used to watch you back then.”

Elaine Rutherford echoed her sentiments, saying: “Congratulations on receiving your vaccination.

“Floella, you don’t seem to have aged a bit from watching you on Play School all those years ago! Great memories.”

Currently, the NHS is offering the COVID-19 vaccine to people most at risk of catching the virus.

It’s being given to people aged over 80, people aged over 70, people who are extremely clinically vulnerable, people who live or work in care homes and health and social care workers.

Polls done before vaccine rollout suggest that up to 70% of people from Black and minority ethnic backgrounds are sceptical about taking it.

NHS England is set to begin recording the ethnicity of people who have received the vaccine. It is hoped that this will reduce stigma.

Whether or not you take the COVID-19 vaccine is your choice, however we want you to have reliable information to make an informed decision.

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