The Queen praised the "amazing Covid vaccine rollout" and awarded the George Cross to the NHS.
At a small ceremony held at Windsor Castle on Tuesday, four health leaders from the UK were presented with the medal.
This is the third consecutive time that a George Cross has not been given to an individual but an organization.
May Parsons, the nurse that delivered the first vaccine in the world outside of clinical trials, was present at the event.
As she celebrated the successes of the NHS, the Queen declared that the vaccine effort that began on that date was "amazing".
On Tuesday, OBEs were also presented to Tom Daley, an Olympic diver, and Martin Lewis, a personal finance expert.
Her Majesty, wearing a day dress, and moving with the help of a walking stick, said that it was remarkable that the UK has attracted tens of million people to the cause.
Amanda Pritchard, chief executive of NHS England, paid tribute to the people who served on the front lines and stated that the vaccine program saved many thousands of lives.
She informed the Queen that the medal would be on a tour through the NHS until a permanent home can be found.
Lt Col Michael Vernon is the Lord Chamberlain's comptroller and has responsibility for organizing ceremonial events. He said, "This award recognizes all NHS staff past and present across all disciplines and all four countries.
"For more than seventy years, and especially in the recent past, you have supported our people with courage, compassion, and dedication. You are an example of the highest standards of public servant.
"You have our deepest appreciation and eternal thanks."
Amanda Pritchard, chief executive of NHS England, said that she was honored to attend for workers.
She said, "Under the most difficult circumstances during the pandemic," her staff performed admirably.
Other guests were Judith Paget, chief executive of NHS Wales, and Ami Jones (an Army reservist who is also an intensive care consultant at Aneurin BevanUniversity Health Board).
Caroline Lamb, Chief Executive of NHS Scotland was presented the George Cross by Eleanor Grant, a Palliative Care Nurse from Specialist University Hospital Wishaw (NHS Lanarkshire).
Peter May, permanent secretary to the Department of Health and chief Executive of Health and Social Care Northern Ireland was joined by Sister Joanna Hogg from Belfast's Royal Victoria Hospital’s Emergency Department.
She was a key player in the establishment of Covid drive-through testing stations at her hospital, and later she managed its vaccination center.
