Care homes have reportedly been told to get permission from families to vaccinate residents. A spate of successful trials, showing vaccinations could be up to 95 percent effective, has led to increased optimism they could be ready by Christmas.
And with the elderly and vulnerable to be amongst the first to be given the jabs, care homes across the UK are preparing to inoculate residents - with the sector having been severely hit during the pandemic.
The UK has placed orders for 100 million doses of the Oxford AstraZeneca vaccine - enough to vaccinate most of the population - with rollout expected in the coming weeks if the jab is approved.