Third jab is approved for the UK

A THIRD jab has been approved for British use in a boost to the vaccination programme.

The vaccine, made by US biotech firm Moderna, was given the go ahead by the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) – joining those made by Pfizer and AstraZeneca.

Ministers also announced they had secured orders for an additional 10million of the Moderna jab, taking the total up to 17million.

Shipments of the injection, which according to the MHRA should be given in two doses 2 days apart, will arrive in the spring.

The Moderna vaccine has been shown in trials to be 94 per cent effective at preventing people falling ill with Covid.

MHRA chief executive Dr June Raine said: ‘Having a third Covid-19 vaccine approved for supply is an important goal to have achieved.’

Health Secretary Matt Hancock said: ‘This is fantastic news and another weapon in our arsenal to tame this awful disease.’

Scottish Secretary Alister Jack said: ‘With three vaccines now approved there is most definitely light at the end of the tunnel.

‘The UK Government has procured and paid for millions of vaccine doses for people in all parts of the UK. We have doses of the Pfizer/ BioNTech and Oxford/AstraZeneca vaccines right now. It is the responsibility of the Scottish Government and NHS Scotland to get that supply of jabs into as many people’s arms as soon as possible.’

Nicola Sturgeon said the announcement was ‘good news’ but warned people not to expect immediate supplies.