The United Kingdom has shortlisted 50 National Health Service for the first phase of what has been described as the “biggest immunisation programme in history” as the first doses of the Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine against COVID-19 arrived at “secure locations” in the country from neighbouring Belgium this weekend.
The first phase will see frontline healthcare staff, people over the age of 80 and care home workers be among the first to get the vaccine which was approved for rollout by the UK’s independent regulator earlier this week.
The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) had declared the jab, which claims to offer up to 95 per cent protection against COVID-19, is safe for human use against the novel coronavirus after “rigorous” checks.
“This coming week will be a historic moment as we begin vaccination against COVID-19,” said UK Health Secretary Matt Hancock.
“I urge everybody to play their part to suppress this virus and follow the local restrictions to protect the NHS while they carry out this crucial work,” he said.
The Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) said NHS staff are working through the weekend for the first vaccinations to take place from tomorrow across 50 shortlisted hubs in the first wave.
More hospitals will start vaccinating over the coming weeks and months as the programme ramps up.
