THERE was a light at the end of the tunnel yesterday when it was announced that the Covid-19 vaccination had been approved and could be rolled out as early as next week.

The MHRA (Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency) has approved the Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine for roll-out, saying the jab that has shown 95% effectiveness could be available from next week.

The UK is the first country in the world to approve the vaccine, and has ordered 40 million doses.

Immunisations could start within days for those who need it most, including elderly people in care homes and frontline NHS staff.

It is believed the vaccine will be administered in phases, with further details to be revealed.

Northern Ireland Health Minister Robin Swann welcomed the vaccination news in a tweet yesterday.

Minister Swann tweeted: “This is a hugely significant day. My Department has the plans and preparations in place. There will still be difficult days ahead, and people must not let their guard down, but there are brighter days ahead.”

Welcoming the news, First Minister Arlene Foster said the vaccine approval is an early “Christmas present”.

She added: “This does give us the road back to normality, and I think everybody has been waiting for that.”