UK phase three trials of the experimental Novavax COVID-19 vaccine have found it demonstrated 89.3% efficacy against the virus.
Preliminary analysis showed the new UK variant was detected in more than half of the coronavirus cases recorded in the trials, with the vaccine candidate shown to be 95.6% effective against the original strain and 85.6% effective against the variant.
Prime Minister Boris Johnson said the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency will start to assess the vaccination straight away.
The UK has already ordered 60 million vials of the vaccine which will be manufactured at the Fujifilm plant in Stockton-on-Tees.
It only needs to be kept at fridge temperature, meaning distribution and supply chain management is easier, like the Oxford/AstraZeneca jab.
After an initial dose, a second shot is given three weeks later.
