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The UK has become the first country in the world to approve the Pfizer / BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine for use.
The health regulator MHRA has given it the go-ahead and it will be available starting next week.
Studies have shown that the jab is 95% effective and works in all age groups.
The government has secured 40 million doses of the vaccine and patients need two doses, which means that not enough injections have been secured for the entire UK population.
“The government today accepted the recommendation of the Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) to approve the COVID-19 vaccine from Pfizer-BioNTech for use,” the government said.
“The vaccine will be available throughout the UK from next week.”
The spokesperson for the Department of Health and Social Care added: “The NHS has decades of experience in delivering large-scale vaccination programs and will begin to put into action its extensive preparations to provide care and support to all persons eligible for vaccination. .
“To help the vaccination program succeed, it is vital that everyone continues to play their role and abide by the necessary restrictions in their area so that we can further suppress the virus and allow the NHS to do its job without feeling overwhelmed.”
“More details will be released shortly.”
Health Secretary Matt Hancock tweeted that “help is on the way.”
“The MHRA has formally authorized the Pfizer / BioNTech vaccine for COVID-19. The NHS is ready to start vaccinating early next week,” he said in a tweet.
“The UK is the first country in the world to have a clinically approved vaccine for supply.”
Scottish Prime Minister Nicola Sturgeon said the news that a vaccine was approved for use in the UK was “the best news in a long time”.
She tweeted: “@scotgov ready to start vaccinations as soon as supplies arrive.”
An effective vaccine is considered the main weapon in the fight against the pandemic, which has claimed more than 1.4 million lives worldwide.
Pfizer and BioNTech reported final trial results on November 18 that showed their vaccine was 95% effective in preventing COVID-19, with no major safety concerns.
