University Museum receives first Groningen vaccine ampoule and syringe

On 6 January, UMCG nurse Harm Wedman was the first person in Groningen to be administered the BioNTech/Pfizer vaccine against the coronavirus. This was a historic moment. Today, the University Museum will take custody of the ampoule, the syringe and several other objects that were used for the first Groningen vaccination.

New exhibition

President of the Board of Directors of the UMCG, Ate van der Zee, presented the first vaccine ampoule and syringe to the Rector Magnificus of the University of Groningen, Cisca Wijmenga, on 2 February. The University Museum is hoping to be able to present these special objects to the public in a new exhibition soon.

History of medical sciences

Under normal circumstances, the University Museum regularly hosts exhibitions at the UMCG about the history of medical sciences in Groningen. ‘This ampoule and this syringe are certainly part of that history’, says Wijmenga. ‘They are in themselves perfectly ordinary objects but with a very special meaning. We are experiencing a historic period, now that people all over the world are being vaccinated against a new virus. These vaccines are regarded as the gateway to a new era. I am delighted to add the first vaccine ampoule to our collection. We will take good care of it here at the Museum.’

(photo's by Silvio Zangarini)