The UK has become the first country in the world to approve the Pfizer/BioNTech coronavirus vaccine for widespread use.
British regulator, the MHRA, says the jab, which offers up to 95% protection against Covid-19 illness, is safe for rollout next week, the BBC reported.
Immunizations could start within days for those who need it the most, such as elderly, vulnerable patients.
The UK has already ordered 40million doses – enough to vaccinate 20m people.
Around 10million doses should be available soon, with the first 800,000 arriving in the UK in the coming days.
It is the fastest ever vaccine to go from concept to reality, taking only 10 months to follow the same developmental steps that normally span a decade.
Prime Minister Boris Johnson tweeted “It’s the protection of vaccines that will ultimately allow us to reclaim our lives and get the economy moving again.”
Health Secretary Matt Hancock told BBC Breakfast that people will be contacted by the NHS when it is their turn for the jab.
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.”
NHS Chief Executive, Sir Simon Stevens, said the health service was preparing for “the largest-scale vaccination campaign in our country’s history”.
Around 50 hospitals are on standby and vaccination centres in venues such as conference centres are being set up now.
Although vaccination can start, people still need to remain vigilant and follow coronavirus rules to stop the spread, said experts.
That means sticking with the social distancing and face masks, and testing people who may have the virus and asking them to isolate.
England’s Chief Medical Officer Prof Chris Whitty said: “We can’t lower our guard yet.”
Prof Danny Altman, Professor of Immunology at Imperial College London, said news of the approval was “momentous”. “We have the first emergency approval for use of a really effective vaccine. Truly heroic.”
Pfizer said it was a win for science.
