THE Pfizer/BioNTech coronavirus vaccine has been approved for use in the UK, meaning Scots could start receiving the jag within days.

The vaccine offers up to 95% protection against Covid-19, and the UK has ordered about 40 million doses. This will be enough to vaccinate around 20m people as it requires each recipient to have two shots.

The National:

It’s thought about 10m doses will be available before the end of the year.

Later today there will be a Scottish Government update outlining more detailed plans now that the vaccine has been approved.

What has the reaction to the news been like?

Very positive. This morning the First Minister wrote on Twitter: “The best news in a long time. @scotgov ready to start vaccinations as soon as supplies arrive.”

National clinical director Jason Leitch added: "Remarkable science, collaboration and logistics has got us to this day. It’s a very important moment. There will be months of roll out until normality but it’s a crucial step. Thanks to all."

So how will the roll-out work?

More details will be revealed later today, but speaking in Holyrood last month Health Secretary Jeane Freeman explained that once a vaccine is approved by regulatory bodies, the vaccination programme can begin very quickly.

The Scottish Government hope to offer everyone in Scotland aged over 18 a dose by the spring.

The first recipients will be frontline NHS and care workers. The plan is to kick off the first wave of vaccinations this month, targeting health and care staff, unpaid carers, those aged over 80 and the people who actually deliver the programme.

The National:

It is thought around 2000 vaccinators are required, with some working in mobile centres in public locations and others delivering the jag in GP surgeries or even people’s homes.  

Freeman said there will be military support in implementing the vaccination programme.

Why does the Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine pose a particular challenge?

The vaccine differs from some of the other coronavirus vaccine candidates because it has to be stored at -70 degrees Celsius and can be moved a limited amount of times.

If the vaccine is moved more than four times there is a risk of it becoming unstable.

The Health Secretary said distributing the vaccine would be one of "the biggest civilian logistical challenges in our lifetime."

What don’t we know about the vaccine?

Last month Freeman admitted there are still lots of “unknowns”.

She told the Parliament: "We don't know if this vaccine, the Pfizer vaccine, will stop you getting the virus, stop you passing the virus on, or prevent it from causing serious harm, and it may take many months before we fully understand the level of protection on transmission, and the impact on reducing the severity of the illness caused by the virus.

The National:

"We know that the first vaccines will require two doses, three to four weeks apart. It's possible that further booster doses and even an annual programme might be required given we do not know how long any protection will last.

"For now, the important thing is that when we start to deliver these first vaccines, it will be on the basis that they offer some form of protection, even if we don't, at this stage, know exactly how much protection that is.

"And it will be safe. So when we get in touch with you please go for the vaccine. It offers you a level of protection we don't have through any other means."