THE first coronavirus vaccinations could be given next week after the Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine was approved on Wednesday.

Medicines regulator the MHRA ruled the jab was safe with the first doses already being delivered to the UK.

MPs and council leaders have welcomed the news and said the planned mass vaccination centre in Bournemouth will be “crucial”.

Elderly people living in care homes and care home staff are due to be prioritised once the first delivery of 800,000 doses arrives and they will be followed by over-80s and healthcare workers.

Mid Dorset and North Poole MP Michael Tomlinson said the vaccine’s approval was “very welcome positive news”.

Preparations have already been made in Dorset for the roll-out of the vaccine, spearheaded by the county’s NHS bodies.

Dorset County Hospital is one of 50 hospitals across the country ready to receive the jabs which need to be stored in temperatures of -70C.

A regional mass vaccination centre will be set up at the BIC in Bournemouth, which BCP Council leader Drew Mellor said, will be supported by the army.

“Vaccinations will be starting next week and the centre will be hugely crucial,” Cllr Mellor said during a Facebook question and answer session on Wednesday.

“This is an absolutely humongous logistical challenge which will be driven through our health partners primarily but supported by the army and GP practices.

“There will be mobile centres across Dorset and significant amount [of vaccinations] will be done through GP practices as well starting as early as next week.”

Dorset HealthCare will lead efforts to carry out the vaccinations while University Hospitals Dorset (UHD) is responsible for managing supplies and IT systems as part of the roll-out.

"There are already active workstreams in place for workforce, data and IT, communications and primary care, as well as close links with the social care cell, which includes representatives from care home providers, our two local authorities and community care services,” a UHD report considered last week said.

"This is a hugely encouraging and exciting development, and all Dorset partners will be playing a part in this programme."

GP surgeries are due to help lead the initial vaccinations before the remaining high risk groups are given doses in the following weeks following their delivery from Pfizer's base in Belgium.

North Dorset MP Simon Hoare last month told the Daily Echo that the distribution of vaccines should be supported by the military, citing the role they played in the mass testing regime in Liverpool.

Bournemouth East MP Tobias Ellwood, who chairs the defence select committee and is a former defence minister, said this is exactly what the military is for.