UK

Covid-19 jab approved in UK with vaccinations to begin next week

The most vulnerable, as well as health and care workers, are first in line for the vaccine.
The most vulnerable, as well as health and care workers, are first in line for the vaccine. The most vulnerable, as well as health and care workers, are first in line for the vaccine.

The UK has become the first country in the world to approve the Covid-19 vaccine from Pfizer and BioNTech, paving the way for vaccination to start next week.

The jab has been shown in studies to be 95% effective and works in all age groups.

The UK has ordered 40 million doses of the vaccine, enough to vaccinate 20m people.

Reacting to the approval of the Pfizer vaccine, Stormont health minister Robin Swann tweeted: "This is a hugely significantly day. My department has the plans and preparations in place.

"There will still be difficult days ahead and people must not let their guard down, but there are brighter days ahead."

Read More: Covid-19 vaccine: Who will get it, when and how?

Health officials in the north have already indicated that the vaccine rollout plan is scheduled to commence on December 14.

British health secretary Matt Hancock said vaccinations will start with the most elderly, people in care homes and their carers, before coming down the age range, with NHS staff and the clinically extremely vulnerable also high on the priority list.

He told BBC Breakfast: "2020 has been just awful and 2021 is going to be better, and help is on its way with this vaccine. We can now say that with certainty rather than with all the caveats that I normally have to put around that.

Covid-19 jab approved in UK with vaccinations to begin next week
Covid-19 jab approved in UK with vaccinations to begin next week

"This will take time to roll out. You've got to have that 21 days between the jabs anyway and we've got to get this rolled out at the speed at which it can be manufactured.

"I'm confident now with the news today that from spring, from Easter onwards, things are going to be better and we're going to have a summer next year that everybody can enjoy."

Around 10m doses will be available for use in the UK shortly for priority groups, including healthcare workers.

A list of who will receive the vaccine first will be set out later today.

A Department of Health and Social Care spokesman said: "The government has today accepted the recommendation from the independent Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) to approve Pfizer/BioNTech's Covid-19 vaccine for use.

"This follows months of rigorous clinical trials and a thorough analysis of the data by experts at the MHRA who have concluded that the vaccine has met its strict standards of safety, quality and effectiveness."

Health Secretary Matt Hancock told Sky News: "This is fantastic news.

"The MHRA, the fiercely independent regulator, has clinically authorised the vaccine for rollout.

"The NHS stands ready to make that happen.

"So, from early next week we will start the programme of vaccinating people against Covid-19 here in this country."

Nadhim Zahawi, the newly-appointed minister responsible for overseeing the vaccination rollout, tweeted: "Major step forward in the fight against Covid-19 today."

Business Secretary Alok Sharma tweeted: "The UK was the first country to sign a deal with Pfizer/BioNTech, now we will be the first to deploy their vaccine.

"To everyone involved in this breakthrough: thank you.

"In years to come, we will remember this moment as the day the UK led humanity's charge against this disease."

Scotland's First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said it was "the best news in a long time".

She tweeted: "scotgov ready to start vaccinations as soon as supplies arrive."

The First Minister of Wales welcomed the news that the vaccine has been approved.

Mark Drakeford tweeted: "Significant news this morning.

"Thank you to everyone who has worked so hard to make this a reality.

"Our vaccine programme is ready to go, but the impact won't be seen nationally for some months.

"In the meantime, we all must continue to follow the rules and protect each other."