UK First To Approve Pfizer Vaccine

‘No Corners Cut’ Says Regulator

Here’s the facts:

• The UK has become the first country in the world to approve the Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine.

• NHS staff and patients are likely to get the vaccine first because storage of the jab at freezing temperatures is easiest in hospitals. Some care home staff will be included too.

• In a government briefing Dr June Raine from the regulator said that ‘no corners have been cut’ when approving the vaccine.

• First vaccines in Scotland ‘from Tuesday’ says Sturgeon.

• BioNTech has told a briefing that the vaccine can be stored in a normal fridge for five days.

• Visitors who test negative allowed at care homes in England.

• Sir Keir Starmer describes the vaccine announcement as “fantastic news”, saying “we are now a big step closer to the end of the tunnel".

• Sean Marett, who is in charge of distribution of the vaccine for BioNTech, says the doses for the UK are currently being packed in Belgium ready for shipping “very, very quickly”.