Scientist who developed Oxford-AstraZeneca Covid vaccine presented with damehood by Princess Anne

A SCIENTIST who helped develop the lifesaving Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine was presented with her damehood by Princess Anne yesterday.

Dame Sarah Gilbert, 59, professor of vaccinology at Oxford University, said it was “a great honour” to receive her DBE at Windsor Castle.

She co-created the jab which has been used by more than 2.5 billion people in 170-plus countries worldwide.

Dame Sarah, honoured for services to science and public health, said she hoped people would still “exercise some degree of caution” as Covid restrictions are lifted.

Current self-isolation regulations expire on March 24.

They include self-isolating for 10 days unless you have a negative lateral flow test on days five and six.

Dame Sarah received a standing ovation at Wimbledon when she attended the tournament last summer.

She has also had a Barbie doll launched in her image.

A total of 81 people collected gongs during the investiture ceremony.