The first Covid vaccine has been approved for use in the UK and according to The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA), the Pfizer/BioNtech jab is ready to roll out as soon as next week.

The new coronavirus vaccines will be rolled out in 24-48 hours once approved, according to The Royal United Hospitals Bath NHS Foundation Trust boss.

The trust which runs the hospital said last week that as soon as vaccines are approved they will be made available to the community.

RUH chief executive Cara Charles-Barks said that the trust has been gearing up for a rapid roll-out of the vaccines as soon as they become available.

In a tweet this morning, Prime Minister Boris Johnson confirmed the vaccine will be made available across the UK from as early as next week.

He tweeted: "It’s the protection of vaccines that will ultimately allow us to reclaim our lives and get the economy moving again."

Pfizer chairman and CEO, Albert Bourla called this a historic moment.

Mr Bourla said: “As we anticipate further authorizations and approvals, we are focused on moving with the same level of urgency to safely supply a high-quality vaccine around the world.

"With thousands of people becoming infected, every day matters in the collective race to end this devastating pandemic.”