The government has approved the Oxford University-AstraZeneca’s Covid-19 vaccine for use upon the recommendation of the UK's regulator, the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency.

The first doses will be released on 4 January to the most high-risk groups, the government said. Individuals that are vaccinated will receive their second dose within 12 weeks of the first, which will complete the dosage, which "is important for longer-term protection" according to the government.