This live blog is now closed. For all the latest coronavirus updates from around the world, head to our global blog
Starmer says people in the top two groups will want to know when they can be vaccinated.
Johnson says it is important that “people do not get their hopes up too soon” about when they will get vaccinated. It will be rolled out as quickly as possible, he says.
Sir Keir Starmer also welcomes the vaccine news, and thanks those who took part in the trials. He says all sides have a duty to play a part in the vaccine rollout, and to encourage people to get vaccinated.
He says 400,000 people will get vaccinated in the first batch. Who will get priority?
Johnson summarises what the JCVI has recommended. (See 11.23am.)
He says it is important to stress that, although this is good news, the current restrictions are still needed.
Chris Green (Con) asks for an assurance that vaccination will be voluntary.
Johnson agrees. Making it mandatory is “not how we do things in this country”, he says.
Boris Johnson starts by saying the national strategy for the disabled will be published next year. Tomorrow is international day for the disabled.
And he welcomes the news about the vaccine being approved.
PMQs is about to start.
From the BBC’s Natalie Higgins, who has been watching a BioNTech press conference in Germany
BioNTech cofounder Dr Özlem Türegi says most people who received the #CovidVaccine in trials had mild-to-moderate and short lived symptoms like muscle pain or inflammation at place where it was injected.
— Natalie Higgins (@nataliesophia) December 2, 2020
BioNTech CEO Uğur Şahin says they hope to make 1.3bn vaccines in 2021.
From my colleague Heather Stewart
No doubt it was an entirely open and transparent recruitment process that resulted in former Tory and Ukip MP Douglas Carswell and the chief executive of Jacob Rees-Mogg's [former] investment firm being appointed to the DIT board:https://t.co/CGOiqpb5CU
— Heather Stewart (@GuardianHeather) December 2, 2020
Mark Drakeford, the Welsh first minister, has said the impact of the coronavirus vaccine approved for use today “won’t be seen nationally for some months”.
Significant news this morning. Thank you to everyone who has worked so hard to make this a reality. Our vaccine programme is ready to go, but the impact won’t be seen nationally for some months. In the meantime, we all must continue to follow the rules and protect each other. https://t.co/U3aAZIZGOt
— Mark Drakeford (@fmwales) December 2, 2020
From Northern Ireland’s first minister, Arlene Foster
The vaccine is another step on the road back to normality. We are deeply appreciative of those in science who have helped deliver this good news. We will work collectively as an Executive to ensure it is rolled out across NI. To all those who prayed for this - thank you.
— Arlene Foster #We’llMeetAgain (@DUPleader) December 2, 2020
The SNP MP Amy Callaghan has said she is back on her feet after a brain haemorrhage caused an “imminent risk” to her life. As PA Media reports, Callaghan has given her first TV interview since she collapsed in her home on June 10, only leaving hospital after four months of treatment and rehabilitation. Callaghan, who has previously battled skin cancer, said:
I always knew that I had the strength and the courage and the determination from being unwell previously to see myself through this. But of course there were some very dark times that my family experienced and went through as well, so I do sometimes see how happy they are to have me here and that just means that wee bit extra.
Comments (…)
Sign in or create your Guardian account to join the discussion