The Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine has been approved for use in the UK, with the first doses due to be given on Monday amid rising coronavirus cases. The UK has ordered 100 million doses – enough to vaccinate 50 million people. This would cover the entire population when combined with the full order of the Pfizer-BioNTech jab, Health Secretary Matt Hancock said. It comes as millions more people in England are expected to be the toughest tier four restrictions. Vaccination centres will now start inviting patients to come and get the jab from next week. Priority groups for immunisation have already been identified, starting with care home residents, the over-80s, and health and care workers. Eventually all over 50s and younger adults with health conditions will be offered a jab in the first phase of rollout – more than 25 million people in total. It is hoped that about two million patients a week could soon be vaccinated with two vaccines now approved.
Covid-19: Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine approved for use in UK – BBC News
