The Covid-19 vaccine from Pfizer and BioNTech has been approved in the UK - paving the way for vaccination to start next week.

The jab has been shown in studies to be 95% effective and works in all age groups.

READ MORE: Coronavirus Scotland: Who will get the vaccine, when and how?

First Minister Nicola Sturgeon welcomed the news, adding that the Scottish Government is prepared to start the vaccination process as soon as supplies arrive.

She Tweeted: "The best news in a long time.

"@scotgov ready to start vaccinations as soon as supplies arrive."

A Department of Health and Social Care spokesman said: “The Government has today accepted the recommendation from the independent Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) to approve Pfizer/BioNTech’s Covid-19 vaccine for use.

“This follows months of rigorous clinical trials and a thorough analysis of the data by experts at the MHRA who have concluded that the vaccine has met its strict standards of safety, quality and effectiveness.

“The Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) will shortly also publish its latest advice for the priority groups to receive the vaccine, including care home residents, health and care staff, the elderly and the clinically extremely vulnerable.

“The vaccine will be made available across the UK from next week.”