THE Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency has approved the Moderna coronavirus vaccine.
It's the third Covid vaccine to be approved for use in the UK.
However, supplies of the new jab are not expected to be available until the spring.
The UK has now pre-ordered 17 million doses.
UK government Health and Social Care Secretary Matt Hancock said: "This is further great news and another weapon in our arsenal to tame this awful disease."
READ MORE: Covid in Scotland: 93 deaths recorded as numbers in hospital exceed first wave peak
The UK had originally ordered 7 million doses, but has increased it by 10 million to get even more people immunised as quickly as possible.
The Moderna vaccine requires temperatures of around -20C for shipping - similar to a normal freezer.
In comparison, the Pfizer/BioNTech one requires temperatures closer to -75C, making transport logistics much more difficult.
The AstraZeneca jab is easier to store and distribute, as it can be kept at normal fridge temperature.
All of these vaccines requires a second booster shot.
In trials with more than 30,000, the Moderna vaccine offered nearly 95% protection from severe Covid.
Why are you making commenting on The National only available to subscribers?
We know there are thousands of National readers who want to debate, argue and go back and forth in the comments section of our stories. We’ve got the most informed readers in Scotland, asking each other the big questions about the future of our country.
Unfortunately, though, these important debates are being spoiled by a vocal minority of trolls who aren’t really interested in the issues, try to derail the conversations, register under fake names, and post vile abuse.
So that’s why we’ve decided to make the ability to comment only available to our paying subscribers. That way, all the trolls who post abuse on our website will have to pay if they want to join the debate – and risk a permanent ban from the account that they subscribe with.
The conversation will go back to what it should be about – people who care passionately about the issues, but disagree constructively on what we should do about them. Let’s get that debate started!
Callum Baird, Editor of The National
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here