48 hours to V-Day: From NHS hubs to how you get a jab, here's everything you need to know about the Covid-19 vaccine rollout
Hailed as the breakthrough that will help reclaim our lives, the vaccine programme starts on Tuesday.
With 357 million doses ordered by the Government – and 800,000 already being sent by Pfizer – it's hoped 10 million doses will be here by the year's end. NHS staff will invite people for jabs by text or phone.
NHS England said NHS staff were working through the weekend to prepare for the launch of the programme
Initially, they will be given at 50 NHS hubs, then by some GP-led primary care networks from December 14.
Over-80s and care home staff will be the first to receive the jab under the vaccination programme – dubbed Operation Courageous.
Hospitals have specialist freezers capable of storing the vaccine, and are able to inject hundreds of people in a short space of time, without having to move doses.
When ready for injection, vials are warmed to room temperature over a two-hour period, diluted and drawn into needles, and then teams have six hours in which to vaccinate patients.
A graphic shows where in the country the 50 NHS hubs, special jab centres and GP clinics offering the vaccine next week are located
A graphic shows how the Pfizer jab will work, by entering the patient's cells, causing the immune system to produce antibodies and activate T-cells ready to destroy those infected with coronavirus
A graphic shows how patients will get the jab, including who will provide it and how long it will grant immunity from Covid-19
A graphic demonstrates the order of priority in which the vaccine will be rolled out, starting with residents in care homes
A graphic outlines the situation with the other vaccines being developed, other than the Pfizer/BioNTech jab
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