In our experience
As we celebrate 75 years of our NHS, meet three amazing women – among thousands – who help keep us safe and well
‘I GAVE THE WOR LD’S FIRST COV ID-19 VACCINE’
May Parsons, 42, has worked as a nurse within the NHS since 2003, after moving to the UK from the Philippines. In December 2020, she made history when she administered the world’s first COVID-19 vaccine outside of clinical trials. She is currently the Modern Matron for Respiratory at University Hospitals in Coventry. She lives in Warwickshire with her husband and two children.
We were all scared when the pandemic hit, in March 2020. But when I trained to be a nurse, I made a commitment to help people, and fear was not going to stop me. Because of my experience in respiratory care, I volunteered to work in the ITU (intensive care unit).
For six weeks, I witnessed what can only be described as a clinical war zone. Every day was filled with fear, helplessness and despair. It was so traumatic I don’t think I’ve even begun to process it yet.
The hardest part was balancing fulfilling my duties and managing the risk to my family. I had the option to live in a hotel during my ITU redeployment but I decided that if I was going to die, I didn’t want to be alone. Instead, I isolated at home. One day, my son asked to give me a hug because he could see that I was struggling – Ihad to say no because I didn’t want to put him at risk. It was one of the most heartbreaking things I have had to do.
That’s what I had to face, every day. I want to make sure all the nurses who had to experience that same guilt and fear know that we all stand in solidarity.
As part of the nursing community, I am immensely proud of what we’ve been through. I never could have dreamed where my nursing career would take me. From being on the front line during a pandemic to being the first person to administer a COVID-19 vaccine while the world watched – such a proud moment.
Because of my role in that first vaccination, in July 2022, when the NHS was awarded the George Cross by the late Queen, I joined the NHS chief executive at Windsor Castle to receive the award on behalf of NHS England. It was one of the greatest moments of my life. Nurses played an integral role in the fight against COVID-19 and it was an immense privilege to be chosen to represent them.
Nursing has taught me numerous life lessons. One that I always think about is the fact that nurses are in such a privileged position, where we help people in their most vulnerable state, and the positive impact we have then ripples through to their families and communities.
It has also taught me how to be appreciative of how lucky we are even in the worst circumstances. To be able to offer hope and comfort
