Pfizer/BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine safe for use in UK from next week

The UK has become the first country in the world to approve the Pfizer/BioNTech coronavirus vaccine, paving the way for mass vaccination.

Britain's medicines regulator says the vaccine which offers up to 95% protection against COVID-19 illness, is safe to be rolled out.

Pfizer said the first doses are already on their way to the UK, with 800,000 due in the coming days.

Elderly people in care homes and care home staff have been placed top of the priority list, followed by over-80s and health and care staff.

The Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine is the fastest to go from concept to reality, taking only 10 months to follow the same steps that normally span 10 years.

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

[Source: bbc]