Emmerdale ‘to be the first British soap to feature a character getting the Covid vaccine as Eric Pollard announces he’s received the jab’
- Eric Pollard, who is played by Chris Chittell, 72, is said to tell his family he’s had his first jab in an episode which is scheduled to be screened next month on ITV
- The scene will reportedly see Eric tell his son David Metcalfe – played by Matthew Wolfenden – that he’s had the vaccine in the hope he can spend more time with his grandson Theo
- It is said Emmerdale scriptwriters have been hard at work as they keep up with the latest real-life developments
- It comes after Labour MP Chris Evans said he feels soap operas may help inspire communities who are reluctant to get the vaccine
- Currently, the COVID-19 vaccine is being offered to the elderly, healthcare workers, care home residents and extremely vulnerable people
- A number of celebrities have already received their vaccines, including Sir David Attenborough, 94, Brian Blessed, 84 and Ruth Langsford, 60
Emmerdale is reportedly set to be the first British soap opera to feature a character being vaccinated against coronavirus.
Eric Pollard, who is played by Chris Chittell, 72, is said to tell his family he’s had his first jab in an episode which is scheduled to be screened next month on ITV.
The scene will reportedly see Eric tell his son David Metcalfe – played by Matthew Wolfenden – that he’s had the vaccine in the hope he can spend more time with his grandson Theo.
A soap first: Emmerdale is reportedly set to be the first British soap opera to feature a character being vaccinated against coronavirus
It is said Emmerdale scriptwriters have been hard at work as they keep up with the latest real-life developments, with a six week lag before the scenes appear on screen.
An insider told The Sun: ‘The moment will resonate with grandparents who’ve been kept away from seeing their grandchildren over several months.’
MailOnline has contacted representatives for Emmerdale and Chris Chittell for further comment.
First jab: Eric Pollard, who is played by Chris Chittell, 72, is said to tell his family he’s had his first jab in an episode which is scheduled to be screened next month on ITV
It comes after Labour MP Chris Evans said he feels soap operas may help inspire communities who are reluctant to get the vaccine.
He explained: ‘Soap operas have such a massive reach sometimes, more so than big advertising campaigns.
‘Reaching different demographics could definitely help in the vaccine uptake across the country as more scriptwriters add it into the scripts.’
Priority: Currently, the COVID-19 vaccine is being offered to the elderly, healthcare workers, care home residents and extremely vulnerable people
Currently, the COVID-19 vaccine is being offered to the elderly, healthcare workers, care home residents and extremely vulnerable people.
The vaccine is injected into the upper arm and requires two doses. The second vaccine takes place between three to 12 weeks after the first dose.
More than 14 million people in the UK have now received at least one dose of the vaccine, with the government aiming to vaccinate millions more people aged 50 and over and other priority groups by the spring.
Vaccinated stars: A number of celebrities have already received their vaccines, including Sir David Attenborough, 94
A number of celebrities have already received their vaccines, including Sir David Attenborough, 94, and Brian Blessed, 84.
Ruth Langsford, 60, confirmed she had received her first dose on Saturday.
The TV presenter admitted she felt ‘so grateful’ to have the Oxford/AstraZeneca jab, as she shared a photo of the experience on social media.
Although the vaccine is prioritised for citizens over the age of 65, Ruth revealed she was called early after receiving a message from the NHS.
First dose complete: Ruth Langsford, 60, confirmed she had received her first dose on Saturday
Ruth confirmed the injection only ‘took seconds’ and she thanked the NHS and rejoiced at being a ‘step closer’ to being able to see her mum again.
She wrote on Instagram: ‘JUST HAD MY VACCINE!! Feel SO grateful. Thought it was a scam message at first as I wasn’t expecting to be called until March!
‘Thank you everybody, staff & volunteers, at the vaccination centre in Walton-on-Thames, Surrey… a quick, well organised and very friendly experience. The jab took seconds and was painless.
‘Thank you @stephanieshervington for being so lovely… you & your colleagues are doing an amazing job. Another step forward to being able to see my Mum again I hope.’
Quick and easy: Ruth confirmed the injection only ‘took seconds’ and she thanked the NHS and rejoiced at being a ‘step closer’ to being able to see her mum again