A Perthshire MSP has urged Perth and Kinross residents to have the COVID-19 vaccine when it is offered to them.
Roseanna Cunningham MSP was speaking after the Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency confirmed that the vaccine developed by Pfizer and BioNTech had been authorised for use in the UK.
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The first doses are due to be administered next week.
The Perthshire Advertiser reported earlier this week that NHS Tayside was working on plans for the roll-out of the vaccine in the region.
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Ms Cunningham, the MSP for Perthshire South and Kinross-shire, said: “It is great to have some good coronavirus-related news and this latest development is really exciting, a wonderful breakthrough.
“Of course, there is still a long way to go yet before everyone can be vaccinated with the vaccine available initially to a variety of priority groups, but the news that we are starting up the vaccination programme really is a wonderful beacon of hope.
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“I know that people will always have concerns about a new vaccine, but the science is clear that it is safe and I urge everyone to take the opportunity, as soon as it is offered, to get this injection and so protect themselves and those around them from this awful virus.”
