Matt Hancock, the Health Secretary, said the Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine's approval was a "day to remember in a year to forget" and described the jab as a "victory for science".

However he stressed the importance of continued adherence to the current coronavirus restrictions that make up the tier system, which came into effect today.

Officials said that the vaccine, which the UK today became the first in the world to approve, will be made available from next week.

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