About 70 hospitals under the National Health Service in the United Kingdom are bracing to administer the Pfizer/BioNTech jab to the over-80s and some health and care staff as the country begins its mass COVID-19 vaccination programme.
The biggest vaccination programme in the country’s history aims to protect the most vulnerable and return life to normal.
Last week Britain became the first country to approve the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine, raising hopes of a breakthrough in the pandemic, which has killed more than 1.5 million worldwide.
Britain has been one of the worst-affected countries in the world, with more than 61,000 deaths in the outbreak from 1.6 million cases.
UK Health Secretary Matt Hancock, who has offered to have the jab on live television to allay public fears, said the roll-out was a “key moment” that would protect the most vulnerable.
The UK has ordered 40 million doses of the jab — enough to vaccinate 20 million people — with 800,000 in the first batch. Up to four million doses are expected by the end of December.
