Kieran Cuddihy is "a little bit jealous" of the UK's efficient vaccine roll out

British authorities this morning announced they'd approved the vaccine for use, the European Medicines Agency will decide whether to give the green light for its use across the EU after assessing if it's safe and effective.

Public health expert Dr Gabriel Scally has said he is 'very confident' of the safety procedures around any coronavirus vaccine.

It comes after Britain became the first western country to approve the use of a vaccine, giving the green light for people to start receiving the Pfizer/BioNTech jabs.

It is expected an immunisation programme could start as early as next week, with residents and staff in care homes to be prioritised.

"It's who finishes the race well that counts, not who's first out of the blocks, and it'll depend on vaccine supply and it does take time.

"The fact that you need two doses means that it is going to take two months before someone who has two doses of the vaccine will be properly immuniszed".

On safety, he said he has no doubt that the issue is paramount for all of the regulators.

"The safety processes have not been cut short on these vaccines, and I'm very, very confident about them.

"And very, very confident in the regulatory processes - whether it be in the UK's process, the European Union's or the American process: it will be properly scrutinsed".