Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine approved for use in the UK

The UK becomes the first country to approve the COVID-19 vaccine produced by Pfizer/BioNTech.

The news comes as 800,000 doses are already on their way.

The 95% effective vaccine, which took ten months to create, is safe to be rolled out for mass use as soon as next week, the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) has said.

Around 40 million doses of the vaccine have already been ordered, in the hopes that the majority of the jabs will be rolled out later this month and early next year.

According to Matt Hancock, the Health Secretary, the NHS will reach out to the public about the vaccine jabs, which are not compulsory, and will prioritise the elderly and health and care staff.

He said: "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."

However, it is still unclear when the restrictions will be able to be relaxed due to the vaccine news.

Scientists have warned the public against thinking that the vaccine is a 'silver bullet', and have encouraged people still to follow the rules of social distancing and face coverings.