South Scotland MSP Colin Smyth has welcomed the news that the Pfizer/BioNTech Covid vaccine has been approved for use in the UK and is to be rolled out locally from next week.

However, the local MSP is also urging people to remain vigilant while the local NHS co-ordinates the vaccine roll out across the region and not become complacent.

He said: “This is fantastic news and after nine months of a pandemic that has brought so much tragedy and hardship, it is a welcome light at the end of the tunnel.

“Everyone involved in the development of this and other vaccines deserve our heartfelt thanks.

“It’s now vital that it is rolled out quickly and safely to every area, urban and rural alike, starting with the most vulnerable such as those in our care homes.

“This will be the largest vaccination programme in our region’s history and it will be a huge job for our NHS.

“I would also like to take this opportunity to ask people to remain vigilant and to follow the rules in the coming months as not everyone will be vaccinated straight away and we cannot risk more people catching this terrible virus in the meantime.”