The Queen has encouraged those who are hesitant about getting the COVID-19 vaccine to "think about other people rather than themselves".

Her Majesty, who never talks about her own private health matters in public, endorsed the importance of the vaccination programme during a video call to those co-ordinating the operations across England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland.

Talking about her own experience of having the COVID jab in January, the Queen said: "Once you've had the vaccine you have a feeling of, you know, you're protected, which is I think very important.

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