UK first to approve Pfizer/BioNTech covid vaccine

Britain’s medicines regulator, the MHRA, says the jab, which offers up to 95% protection against Covid-19 illness, is safe for use. The first 800,000 doses will be available in the UK from next week, Health Secretary Matt Hancock said.

Elderly people in care homes and care home staff are top of the priority list, followed by over-80s and health and care staff. The UK has already ordered 40 million doses of the free jab – enough to vaccinate 20 million people.