Prince Harry Praises AstraZeneca Vaccine

 

CREDIT: AP

Prince Harry surprised everyone when he appeared at the 2021 British GQ Men of the Year Awards earlier this month.

He appeared live from his home in California to present the GQ Heroes of the Year award to Professor Dame Sarah Gilbert, Dr. Catherine Green and the rest of the University of Oxford team that are behind the AstraZeneca vaccine.

"Until every community can access the vaccine, and until every community is connected to trustworthy information about the vaccine, then we are all at risk."

He was seen wearing a cool black velvet tuxedo during the presentation.

World-leading scientists have since been praising the remarks he said.

"We didn't know that was going to happen. Suddenly Prince Harry's on stage! He said all of the things we wanted to say about the necessity to get vaccines to the world for people irrespective of their ability to pay. A really important message," said Dr. Green.

Dame Sarah continued, "We're not going to be safe until everybody is safe and it's really important to get the vaccine to everybody around the world."

The Oxford team began the creation of the AstraZeneca in January 2020, without knowing if it would work or be needed.

CREDIT: Getty Images

Over one billion doses have been released to over 170 countries on a non-profit basis since then. Mass rollout has become more affordable and achievable for low and middle-income countries.

"The Oxford team have done their part. They are heroes of the highest order who gave us an instrument to fight this disease. They are our nation's pride, and we are deeply indebted to their service."

Harry also spoke about the "mass-scale misinformation across news media and social media, where those who peddle in lies and fear are creating vaccine hesitancy, which in turn is dividing communities and eroding trust."

"This is a system we need to break if we are to overcome COVID-19 and the rise of new variants."

Although they were being praised by Prince Harry, the scientists couldn't help but be starstruck at the event that also honoured Ed Sheeran, Anthony Hopkins, Quentin Tarantino, and Regé-Jean Page from Bridgerton.

"The whole thing has been pretty surreal really because the dude from Bridgerton is here," joked Dr. Green.

"We don't expect to be part of this kind of event. Science has always been cool to me. We want everyone else to think that science is cool because it can change your life in a very good way," said Dame Sarah.

CREDIT: townandcountrymag.com

"I always wanted to be a scientist when I was a schoolgirl - I didn't see why I wouldn't be. It's not always easy to see how that career's going to pan out, but I hope that more women will consider it now."

"It's also great fun to do. It's a great career, it's creative and dynamic, you work with brilliant people. What's not to like?" added Dr. Green.

"Tonight's very strange. To go from lockdown to this, that's not quite what we expected to be doing in 2021. But we'll be back in the lab tomorrow."

"We'll get back to doing what we normally do," agreed Dame Sarah.