Matt Hancock has outlined how the coronavirus vaccine will be rolled out if one is approved by the UK's medicines regulator.
The Health Secretary said after clean water, "vaccines are the most effective public health intervention ever designed."
He told a Downing Street briefing on Friday evening: "Over the past few weeks, we've seen encouraging results from Phase 3 Trials.
"Today Pfizer and BioNTech has submitted emergency use from the FDA [in the United States] based on data that shows the vaccine is 95 per cent effective with no serious safety concerns.
"Here in the UK, the first step is for the government formally to ask the independent regulator, the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency to assess its suitability."
Mr Hancock has said that he has formally asked the regulator – the MHRA – to assess the Pfizer/BioNTech coronavirus vaccine for use in the UK.
Mr Hancock told a No 10 press conference the company had already begun submitting data to the regulator and would submit its full data in the coming days.
“This is another important step forward in tackling this pandemic,” he said.
He said the speed of the roll-out of a vaccine would depend on the speed it could be manufactured.
“If the regulator approves a vaccine we will be ready to start the vaccination next month with the bulk of roll-out in the New Year," he added.
"We will prioritise groups at greatest risk and it's worth saying this - the roll out will be a massive logistical challenge but I know the NHS can do it - not least because they deliver the flu vaccine each year."
He said vaccination hubs for NHS staff will be established.
Then there will be a community roll out involving GPs and pharmacists.
"Our approach with these three delivery models - community teams, vaccination sites and hospital hubs has been designed to be flexible and reach all parts of the country," he added.
He urged people to "keep doing things we know - hands, face and space and if you get symptoms get a test."
