Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer receives Covid vaccine

Jab administered to 58-year-old at Francis Crick Institute in central London

Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer has received his first dose of a coronavirus vaccine.

The 58-year-old had the jab at the Francis Crick Institute in his Holborn and St Pancras constituency.

The mass vaccination centre is one of five across north central London set up by University College London Hospital.

Sir Keir was invited to receive his vaccine alongside his age group according to the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation’s prioritisation list.

Last week people aged 56 to 59 were invited to have their jabs.

Sir Keir, who has encouraged the public to volunteer at vaccination centres as part of Labour’s “Let’s Vaccinate Britain” campaign, said: “I am so grateful to the staff and volunteers at the Francis Crick Institute for their warm welcome and exceptional work throughout the pandemic.

“From the help they gave our local hospitals with testing last year, to this vaccination centre, they have been at the forefront of efforts to support our NHS and keep our community safe.

“It has been such a difficult year and the vaccination programme is the light at the end of the tunnel.

“The vaccine is safe, effective and I urge everyone in our community to take it when it’s their turn.”

Sir Keir receives his first dose of the coronavirus vaccine from midwife Emily Malden at the Francis Crick Institute in his Holborn and St Pancras constituency (PA)

Several political leaders have already received their jabs, including Tony Blair, 67, Theresa May, 64 and David Cameron, 54.

On Friday, Tory MP Nigel Evans received his jab from fellow MP Andrew Stephenson, who is volunteering at a vaccination centre.