UK approves Pfizer-BioNTech Covid-19 vaccine in world first, says no ‘corners cut’

Britain to start vaccinating people against Covid-19 next week, with PM Boris Johnson saying it will ‘allow us to reclaim our lives’

England leaves month-long lockdown but sees new virus curbs

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The UK had signalled it would move swiftly in approving a vaccine as part of an operation to protect its population. Photo: AFP

Published: 3:48pm, 2 Dec 2020Updated: 10:39pm, 2 Dec 2020

Britain on Wednesday became the first Western country to approve a Covid-19 vaccine for general use, announcing a roll-out of Pfizer-BioNTech’s drug from next week in a historic advance for humanity’s fightback against the coronavirus.

“It’s the protection of vaccines that will ultimately allow us to reclaim our lives and get the economy moving again,” Prime Minister Boris Johnson said after the approval by the UK’s independent medicines regulator.

But he urged the public to remain cautious on the day that England exited a four-week lockdown and reimposed regional curbs.

Health Secretary Matt Hancock said that starting with care home residents and health and care staff, Britain’s National Health Service will begin with 800,000 doses “early next week” and ramp up to “millions” of inoculations by the end of the year.

“Help is on its way,” he told BBC radio. “We can see the dawn in the distance but we have to get through to the morning,” Hancock added, underscoring the appeal for the public to continue adhering to social restrictions.

“The UK is the first country in the world to have a clinically approved vaccine for supply,” he tweeted earlier.