Prince Charles admits he is ‘way down the list’ for Covid-19 vaccine

The Prince of Wales told staff administering the Covid-19 vaccination that he was "way down the list" for his own injection and would have to wait.

Prince Charles made the comments as he visited a vaccination centre at the Gloucestershire Royal Hospital in Gloucester with the Duchess of Cornwall. The pair were there to meet with front line health workers administering and receiving the Pfizer vaccine.

Charles told staff: "I think I am way down the list and will have to wait."

He added: "I think I'll have to wait for the AstraZeneca one before it gets to my turn. I'm some way down the list."

The prince also explained that as he had suffered with Covid-19, he had antibodies for the virus.

The royal couple were taken on a tour of the centre by Deborah Lee, chief executive of the Gloucestershire Hospitals NHS Trust, and chief nurse Professor Steve Hams, who is managing the vaccination programme in Gloucestershire.

Since the vaccine was rolled out across the country, the trust has vaccinated over 1,300 staff from NHS organisations across the county, including care homes.

Among the first wave of staff to be vaccinated were those with underlying health conditions and those from BAME communities.

The Prince and Duchess, who both wore masks and protective glasses, had previously visited the hospital in June of this year, which was the first engagement outside of a royal residence by any member of the royal family following the first national lockdown.

Before departing the royal couple unveiled a plaque to mark their visit.

Coral Boston, a senior infection control nurse and the hospital trust's equality, diversity and inclusion lead, said afterwards: "I spoke to both of them, Charles especially.

"He talked about the disproportionate numbers of BAME people that Covid affected and how important it was for people of colour to have the vaccination.

"It was great that he acknowledged that.

"It meant such a lot. It's just a feeling that they appreciate what you do and the support as well. To have somebody of that level, I was in awe."

Mrs Boston, who was vaccinated herself today, added: "I don't want to see any more deaths, I don't want to see anymore of my colleagues end up in ITU.

"So it was really important that he acknowledged and knew about the fact that people of colour were dying and people of colour were more affected by the virus.

"It was important for me to have the vaccine. I encourage other people that look like me to have the vaccination.

"If you want to protect your family and support the staff of the NHS, they are dealing with a huge amount of work. It's hard for them on a day-to-day basis to break the news to a family.

"Its important that everybody who can have the vaccine has the vaccine."