Ian McKellen Receives COVID-19 Vaccine

British actor Ian McKellen has received the COVID-19 vaccine by Pfizer/BioNtech, Variety reports.

In the U.K., people over age 80, as well as care-home and National Health Service (NHS) workers are prioritized for the vaccine. Vaccination comes in two doses, with the second to be administered in three weeks time.

McKellen, the 81-year-old openly gay "Lord of the Rings" star, said "It's a very special day, I feel euphoric. I would have no hesitation in recommending it to anyone. I feel very lucky to have had the vaccine."

He also expressed his hope that "as more people get vaccinated, we will move further along the path back to a more normal way of life." McKellen also commended the U.K.'s NHS for their work, saying to ITV news "That's the real bonus of all this, to watch and see what works in this country and what doesn't work – and it seems to me the NHS is right at the top of the list for institutions that do work."

Other U.K. celebrities who also recently received the vaccine are Prue Leith, a judge on "The Great British Bake Off," and Michael Whitehall, start of Netflix's "Travels With My Father." Both are also age 80.

Leith tweeted, "Who wouldn't want immunity from #Covid19 with a painless jab?? #vaccine."

As did Whitehall: "Here was I worrying about a little prick, no, not @jackwhitehall, which was brilliantly organised by @GSTTnhs. Thank you to all the kind and wonderful NHS staff who administered my COVID-19 vaccine last night. See you for little prick No 2 in January. #nhs #GSTTnhs"