EXCLUSIVE: The Isle of Wight is on the 'priority list' to get new coronavirus vaccine, Isle of Wight Radio has been told.
The news comes as the UK became the first country in the world to approve the Pfizer/BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine for use.
It has been given the go-ahead by the health regulator MHRA, with studies showing the jab is 95 per cent effective and works in all age groups.
The government has secured 40 million doses of the vaccine, which needs to be refrigerated at -70C (-94F).
Ten million doses are expected in the UK by the end of the year and patients need two each.
Isle of Wight Radio can exclusively reveal that the Island is among the frontrunners to get the vaccine, with a roll-out expected to start within two weeks.
Today (Wednesday), the Isle of Wight is one of just three areas in England to be placed into Tier 1 - the lowest coronavirus restrictions in the country.
The Isle of Wight's MP, Bob Seely, said:
“The clearance of this first vaccine for use in the UK is very important news. It is a good Christmas present for the Island and the country.
"For the Island, I understand the training in vaccination procedure and handling of the vaccine can now begin.
"This vaccine is more difficult to store and transport than the other vaccines, so that is an important stage in the roll-out.
"I understand that the Isle of Wight is a priority location for receiving the vaccine. I hope that the first vaccination on the Island will take place prior to Christmas.
"The country’s vaccine task force has done an impressive job on making sure we have early access to several of the leading vaccines and I want to thank it for its work."
The man in charge of Public Health for the Isle of Wight, Simon Bryant, said:
"We should start to see it [vaccine] coming through in less than a few weeks. We will start to see people vaccinated in those higher priority groups, followed by the tiers of people. It is very positive and it's a good place we are in.
"We need to remember it won't be immediately rolled out across the whole population of the country.
"People need to stay responsible and remember to follow social distancing rules, wear a face covering and 'Hands, Face, Space'.
"We want the population to get vaccinated as quickly as possible. I will be encouraging all my family and friends to get the vaccine and become immunised against the virus. I think we all want to get back to some sort of normality of life."
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