WARRINGTON North MP Charlotte Nichols says the Government must distribute the coronavirus vaccine in a ‘safe but swift manner’.

The UK has become the first country in the world to approve the Pfizer/BioNTech Covid-19 vaccine for use.

This follows months of rigorous clinical trials and a thorough analysis of the data by experts at the Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency, who have concluded that it has met its strict standards of safety, quality and effectiveness.

It will be made available across the UK from next week.

Labour's Ms Nichols said: "I am absolutely delighted with the news this morning that the Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine has been approved by the Medicines and Health Regulatory Agency.

“The amazing scientists who have worked so hard to develop this deserve an enormous debt of gratitude from all of us.

“The Government must now distribute this vaccine in a safe but swift manner.

“I am in regular dialogue with our local public health team and in recent weeks I have met with the Department for Health, Warrington Clinical Commissioning Group, Standing Joint Command and others about our preparedness for vaccine delivery locally.

“I hope everyone who is eligible to receive the vaccine will take this opportunity, and we can begin our return to normality after this nightmare of a year.”

Warrington South Tory MP Andy Carter also welcomed the major news.

He said: “This is the really positive news we’ve been waiting for, this vaccine, along with others that are expected to be approved in the coming weeks, will start the process of getting life back to normal.

“We’re very fortunate that Professor Simon Constable at Warrington Hospital is closely involved in organising mass vaccinations for Cheshire and Merseyside and planning is at an advanced stage.

“There’s a priority list for vaccination, starting with residents in care homes for older adults and their carers followed by those over the age of 80, frontline health and social care workers and those who are clinically extremely vulnerable. The first 800,000 vaccines should be arriving over the next week.

“We can all be optimistic about this news today but at the same time we need to maintain our efforts while the roll out progresses.

“Collectively, we’ve managed to bring down infections in Warrington over the last month and sticking with the basic guidance of washing hands, covering face and keeping apart from others in confined space is the best form of prevention in the short term.”