a welcome boost to morale. and that, the raising of morale, is what this is all about. 0n the day when hope seemed a little this is bbc news more tangible with the start with me, tim willcox. of mass vaccinations, the headlines at 8pm. the royal family came together to say thank you. a momentous day in the global fight against coronavirus — nicholas witchell, bbc news. 90 year maggie keenan is the first person in the world to receive the pfizer vaccine outside trials. now it's time for a look at the weather with darren brett. the moment marks the start hello there. of the biggest vaccination campaign there was some sunshine earlier today through the midlands, in the history of the nhs. southeast england and east anglia. we'll have the latest on the roll—out from across the uk, it's still quite a cold day, an awful lot colder though as hundreds follow margaret's where the fog persisted here and there. example. there wasn't too much of that around this afternoon, i say go for it. but over the past few hours, go for it, because it's free and it's the best thing it has been thickening up. further north, a good day that's ever happened. to have an umbrella handy, really, with rain tumbling down. please go for it, that's it's been quite wet, actually, all i say, you know? across the northwest of england, north wales, showers in scotland if i can do it, well, so can you. and for a while in northern ireland. that wetter weather is moving southwards into the midlands. heading towards the southeast, ijust urge people to where ahead of that rain, contain their impatience. we have got some fog and an early it's a very, very exciting moment, frost, perhaps, across

but there's still a lot of work parts of east anglia to be done and a lot of discipline and the southeast of england. but that will tend to lift to be maintained. as that rain comes in, the prime minister will travel washing things away, to brussels tomorrow for dinner the rain could be quite heavy for a while. with the president of the european commission to try and unlock showers then do follow on behind, post—brexit trade talks. but we will get some clearer skies for northern ireland, wales and the southwest. maybe a few pockets of frost, today, news that the uk and eu have but generally speaking, reached agreement on how rules it should be frost—free by the end of the night. in the brexit withdrawal deal will be implemented — the wetter weather from earlier particularly in relation in the night will move away from east anglia, to northern ireland. and then we will have a few showers, but those showers will be rugby world cup winner diminishing, and for many, steve thompson and seven other it will be brightening up, former players are to take legal there will be some sunshine, but we will see the cloud increasing action, claiming the sport has left them with permanent brain damage. in northern ireland, wales and the southwest and through the afternoon, we will start to see some rain marching in as well. us president—electjoe biden has ahead of that, though, promised one hundred million it is still quite cold air, americans will receive the winds will be fairly light the coronavirus vaccine in his first and temperatures one hundred days in office. at sixes and sevens. that wetter weather coming into the western side of the uk probably won't reach eastern parts because the main driver of the rain and the queen and senior members is going to push the wet weather of the royal family meet volunteers and key workers down into france and the weather at windsor castle to thank them for their work front sort of breaks off into two. so here is some overnight rain to clear away, and then we are left throughout the pandemic

with this patchy rain in western scotland, it could turn wintry as it reaches the highlands. a few pockets of drizzle here and there to the east, but even if it does brighten up, it's quite cold here, temperatures 5 degrees in eastern scotland, northeast england. those temperatures beginning to rise out to the west with the next band good evening. of rain arriving in northern ireland by the end of the day. a day of history today at the end this will be accompanied by some stronger winds overnight, of a long and difficult year, pushing the rain eastwards. as the uk became the first country again, the heaviest of the rain will in the world to begin head its way southwards into france. using a fully—tested vaccine against coronavirus. we are left with some 90—year—old margaret keenan light and patchy rain was the first to get the pfizer jab at university hospital in coventry. and drizzle for the most part, a lot of cloud, mind you, on friday, may well brighten up thousands of people have been across northern ireland, wales and the southwest later, as we start to see if you showers. vacinated since her today. signs of some milder air here, 11 degrees in plymouth, but ahead of that in the east, 800,000 doses of the pfizer biontech vaccine have already it's still around six or seven. arrived in the uk — that's enough to vaccinate 400,000 people. the over—80s, care home workers, and nhs staff will be among the very first to get the jab. more than 80 vaccine centres are being set up — most for now are in hospitals —

and people will be called in for the vaccination. 0ur health editor hugh pym was in coventry as the first vaccine rolled out — a warning, his report contains flashing images. an early morning hospital appointment, at first glance nothing out of the ordinary. but this was unlike anything before. margaret, aged 90, was the very first patient to receive the newly approved coronavirus vaccine. applause. there was a well—deserved round of applause, and intense interest amongst media and health officials at this hospital vaccination clinic in coventry. she seemed to take it all in her stride. this is bbc news — so, margaret, first of all, tell us, how was it for you? it was fine, fine. i wasn't nervous at all. it's a good news day in the uk. it was really good, yeah. and what do you say to those the first mass vaccination programme is under way. who might be having second thoughts a 90 year old grannie

about having this vaccine? gets the honour of being recipient number one. i say go for it, go for it, margaret keenan got the first shot because it's history, at 6.30 in the morning. by the end of december four million and it's the best thing of them will be given. i say go for it. that's ever happened... go for it, because it's free and it's the best thing ..at the moment. that's ever happened. so, do please go for it. that's what i say, you know? also in the programme. if i can do it, well, so can you. joe biden sets out plans to deal with the health crisis the matron who administered which has killed nearly the historicjab said this significance only sunk in afterwards. 300,000 americans. i do this all the time. i've done hundreds of vaccinations, but never with such interest, and people like wanting to know masking, vaccinations, opening schools. these are the three key what's going on and wanting to actually witness it, goals for my first 100 days. so it was really surreal. it's a world first, it represents extraordinary progress by science, but for the nhs, this is a huge achievement, turning research into reality. around the uk, there were similar stories. in glasgow, the vaccine was delivered to the sec centre, with nhs staff among the first to receive the jabs.

it's really exciting, lovely. you feel like you are a wee bit of history in the making. it's really lovely. in belfast, health staff queued to get theirjabs. the policy is for those doing the vaccinations to be vaccinated first. the health service in general has struggled throughout the fight with covid—19, so it feels like a momentous day. very privileged. at this vaccine centre in cardiff, one of seven in wales, more than 200 people have been booked in every day till friday. it's a good day for the whole country. the prime minister on a visit to a london vaccination centre, wanted to rein in people's expectations. i urge people to contain their impatience. it is a very exciting moment but there's still a lot of work to be done and a lot of discipline to be maintained.

the head of nhs england was urging people not to turn up without appointments. wait to hear from the nhs. we will make contact with you. the vaccine is being made available to us from the manufacturers on a phased basis, so the bulk of the vaccination is going to be injanuary, february, march and april. the priority groups now include the over 80s. harry and ranjan, who spoke to arsenal yesterday, had theirjabs together in newcastle, with badges to prove it. applause. margaret certainly won't forget her vaccination, nor will nhs staff on a dramatic and momentous day which they can only hope marks a turning point. hugh pym, bbc news, coventry. the second person to be vaccinated in the uk today was a man called william shakespeare from warwickshire. he and margaret keenan were among thousands to get the jab at dozens of hospitals around the uk. 0ur correspondentjon kay has been hearing from some of them. a day so many have been waiting for, and at bristol's southmead hospital,

first in the queue is jack. good morning. so, i am a good morning. i'm 98, and i suppose it's a bit of excitement. he's been in hospitalfor a man having treatment for bone cancer, but he'll be heading home in a few days, so the vaccine that's just arrived should give him protection from covid. so, we're going to give the injection in the top of your arm, just here. i thought that's what we came for, dear. that's exactly it. i just didn't want any surprises. no surprises and no hesitation. this veteran of the second world war happy to follow orders. and this arm floppy, all right? bossy boots! that's why i'm in navy, sir. jack will still need to follow orders, even when he has had his second jab later this month, but he will finally be able to think about seeing his family again. i live in hope that in the middle

of next year we will hopefully be living a normal life. lovely. i haven't seen him in so long. bless him. jack was my granddaughter steph hasn't been able to visit because of his cancer and because of the thing like this, because of his cancer and because of the covid risk, so she was delighted to see our pictures. she hopes the vaccine will mean he can soon be with the great grandchildren he loves so much. he's such a social character, loves seeing people, sojust to be able to go and see him that bit more and not have the worry will be great. a hope echoed across the country today. in milton keynes, husband and wife arthur and barbara. she went first. i'd rather have the vaccine than have the covid—i9. i mean, if you are given a choice, there's no contest. and in the bard's county of warwickshire, to jab or not to jab. this really is 81—year—old william shakespeare.

it could make a difference to our lives from now on, couldn't it? the start of changing our lives and our lifestyle. you've made history today. back in bristol, no sign of any side effects forjack. thank you, all. grateful and finally able to plan a future. jon kay, bbc news. so, how big a day is it for medical science here in the uk? a little earlier, our medical editor fergus walsh explained the significance of the vaccine roll out. it's a great day for science and for humanity. and i think it's the first step in a very long road towards getting out of this pandemic. and to have a highly effective vaccine in less than a year is astonishing. it was by no means certain back in the spring — there are lots of viruses we don't have vaccines for. in the last 20 years, more than £10 billion has been spent

on research trying to find the vaccine against hiv — without success. and we don't have just one vaccine, we've got several. we've got the moderna vaccine that looks effective, and then we've got the oxford astrazeneca vaccine that the uk has ordered 100 million doses of. now today, that team were the first to publish their trial results data in a peer—reviewed medicaljournal. really important for transparency. and if, as we hoped, that vaccine is approved before the end of the year, that will really speed up the roll—out in spring 2021, because it doesn't need to be kept at ultra—low temperatures, just in a fridge. and that will really help getting this pandemic and seeing the end of it at some point next year. earlier on bbc news, we heard from the woman who has designed the oxford vaccine, professor sarah gilbert —

who told us more about the trial for that vaccine, and plans for its distribution. so we haven't produced any more data than was published in the results that were announced a little while ago. what we are now doing is providing a lot more information about the trials, how they were run, the number of people, all the safety analysis of the trials in more than 23,000 people, and how that contributed to this assessment of safety and efficacy that we've now been able to publish in full today. so, we have the full details of the statistical analysis plan that was agreed with the regulators, which determines how we work out how effective the vaccine is. so we also have been able to publish the fact that, from 21 days after the first dose of the vaccine, nobody who was vaccinated had to be admitted to hospital with covid or had severe covid disease. and that's a really important finding, as well. we see a difference in the vaccine efficacy against pcr—confirmed symptomatic disease. there's also a difference in the efficacy against

a symptomatic infection, which was measured from people who had taken weekly swabs and were sending them in. so even if they didn't have any symptoms of the disease, we were finding out who was having asymptomatic infections. and a half—dose, full—dose vaccine regiment had greater efficacy in that group, as well. so we do think it is a real finding, and we need to do some more work to understand exactly why we are seeing these differences. we still have to — our partners, astrazeneca, who are doing the manufacturing and are responsible for the regulatory submissions, still have to complete the final immunology submission to the regulators. but then it's over to the regulators to make their decision. so it's being submitted to the regulators in this country, in europe, and also brazil, where some of the trials have been conducted. and it will then be assessed by the who. and there's also a trial sponsored by astrazeneca in the us, which will be looked at by the us regulators. so there'll be a lot of news coming out, i'm sure, over the coming months.

i'm not exactly sure the timelines for any of those approvals. we can speak now to professor calum semple, a specialist in outbreak medicine at the university of liverpool. he's also a member of the government's scientific advisory group sage, but is speaking in a personal capacity today. two bits of good news, talking about the oxford vaccine because if they can the oxford vaccine because if they ca n p reve nt the oxford vaccine because if they can prevent asymptomatic contamination, they'll be a great thing. is there are concerns about the dosage still? it was more effective in the half dose. it is not strange but not unprecedented getting a dosagejust not strange but not unprecedented getting a dosage just right is keen to getting an immune response. bubbles what's really important about what was published today, and we can access it, it is freely available. is it safe, it is safe

and highly effective vaccine. of those wonderful scenes, and looking remarkably youthful, having those vaccines, but the prime minister and what matt hancock had to say. matt hancock said don't blow it now, telling them to be clear eyed about the challenges that were made and is there a danger now, do you think the people think oh well, there's a vaccine, we can return to normal, let our guard slipping into both much higher transmission rates? that danger exists and it is quite a logistical challenge to get this vaccine to witness to be. if we got a couple million doses, that's not for million people in them is the focus is going to be on the frail, elderly over the age of 80 and that leaves a lot of other people who need not necessarily die from covid—19 but can be infected and damaged and suffer lung damage so, we do need to keep a sensible hat

on. and they mentioned that they need many vaccinations before christmas, that you listed, given the complications of transportation of this particular vaccine? the complications of transportation of this particular vaccine ?|j the complications of transportation of this particular vaccine? i think it properly is because we travel for a good system in the uk and will establish networks because we vaccinated schoolchildren on a regular basis as well. so, logistics 01’ regular basis as well. so, logistics or something that we can do really well in the uk but the big challenge is actually manufacturing and the country. looking at the practicalities of this as well, you're going to a few weeks later, how much time slippage to be involved with that if someone forgot com pletely involved with that if someone forgot completely to go for the second boost, would that nullify the impact? i don't have absolute data on this to hand because i have not seen it. but in general taking pass

vaccination knowledge to account. the first dose gives you a lot of immunity but that second one takes you the extra bit to the top level that we need. if you missed the second one, it is not a disaster and if there is a slippage, there is not a disaster. and the ideas to get people, as many people vaccinated as possible and those up to 90% affected should be vaccine and effective for the pfizer vaccine as well. that is aimed to stick to the three weeks if he can and if you missed the appointments, it is not a disaster, still turning up for that vaccine. ahead of the nhs, they were saying that the vaccine will be rolled out in the university. january comes every march and april, thatis january comes every march and april, that is quite a long time and that is embracing and including winter

and already there are calls or suggestions given for the mayor of london that london might move up from a tier 2 to a tier 3 because of transmission rates. how dangerous is this christmas relaxation of rules. this is why much of the country is in tier2and this is why much of the country is in tier 2 and a tier 3 still because if we want to have a great christmas, we have to drive numbers further down. and we are still seen cases rising in london, the levels in london are not falling as much as people would want, so the simile is a risk of a need for increased restrictions in these areas. ultimately, there is a political decision that will take into account the economy and the well—being of people in these areas but, yes, it is one to keep an eye on. could differ the nhs negative science, yes? -- a good day for the nhs and a good day for science. yes.

the latest government figures show there were 12,282 new coronavirus infections recorded in the latest 24—hour period. the average number of new cases reported per day in the last week, is now 15,308. 1,359 people have been admitted to hospital on average each day over the week to last thursday. 616 deaths were reported —that‘s people who died within 28 days of a positive covid—19 test. it means on average in the past week, a28 deaths were announced every day. it takes the total number of deaths so far across the uk to 62,033. sport and for a full round up, from the bbc sport center, here's tulsen tullet.

taking the knee in support of black lives matter. players chose to stand arm in arm in a show of solidarity for the fight against discrimination while the sponsor has been replaced with the logo of anti—discrimination. in some of the players chose to take the knee. the final round of group games in the champions league are underway with manchester united one of three teams who could progress in group h. 0le gunnar solskjaer‘s side are away to rb leipzig needing a point in germany if they're to progress, amadou haidara has made it 2—0 after manchester city's on loan player angelino had put the hosts ahead — that game is on bbc radio 5 live, while paris saint germain are at

home to instanbul basaksasheer while chelsea are already through to the last 16 taking on fc krasnodar at stamford bridge, they've made 10 changes for that match. for all the very latest head to the bbc sport website. world cup winner steve thompson is one of eight former professionals who claim the sport has left them with permanent brain damage and they are ready to start legal action against rugby union authorities for negligence. they have all been diagnosed with early signs of dementia. the law firm representing them say they are working with over a hundred other players as well. thompson, who is 42, was capped 73 times by england, but struggles to recall his greatest moment in 2003. i cannot remember being in australia at all. i cannot remember the whole situation of the world cup, i've never watched all of those games, so i sat down to watch them and like i was watching a game for england, england playing, i could see myself there but i was not there. people talk about stories and since the world cup, talked about the people there and picked up stories and you can talk about it, but that was not

me being there because, ijust cannot remember any of the games whatsoever. anything that happens in those games. his was to be such a big thing in my life and it'sjust not there. so, what is it like, is there way can simply experience it? it's like somebody or take the time to make film out, it's like there are other times we are mine might‘ve gotten a bit better, so the film goes back in, and he get another one there and then it's only missing and thatis there and then it's only missing and that is what happens, it's just like i'm not there. that's all the sport for now.

we'll have more for you on the bbc news channel later on. the prime minister will travel to brussels tomorrow to have dinner with the president of the european commission, ursula von de leyen, to try to unlock a post brexit trade deal. negotiations remain stuck with only weeks to go before the transition period ends at the end of december. the politicians hope that meeting in person will find a solution. 0ur deputy political editor vicki young has more. will there be a deal, prime minister? trade talks have run into trouble, and borisjohnson will soon need to take some difficult decisions. everyone is waiting to see if there is a way through. i think the situation at the moment is very tricky. 0urfriends havejust got to understand that the uk has left the eu in order to be able to exercise democratic control over the way we do things, and then there is also the issue of fisheries, where we are a long way apart still,

but hope springs eternal. there has been progress in another very tricky area. to avoid checks along the irish border, northern ireland will continue to follow some eu rules. but that means inspections on certain goods entering northern ireland from the rest of the uk. businesses there have been worried about extra paperwork and the impact on food and medicine supplies. how do you start to unpeeled the complexity that is northern ireland do not create any instability? so, i think if the got some sort of solution today, albeit low, we would welcome it and we would be pleased, and we hope that with the detail come delete comes out, they have listened to our concerns. this has been a hugely complicated and controversial issue where economic considerations have had to be seen in the context of a delicate peace process. positives have been difficult to find in recent days when it comes to brexit negotiations,

but this is most certainly a very important positive for the island of ireland as a whole because what this does now ways it provides the guarantee is that ireland was my place in the single market and the issues around the border are now all settled. hopefully this is a signal that the british government is in a deal—making mood. some see today's agreement as a positive sign for the broader trade talks, but don't forget, those arrangements in northern ireland will apply whether there is a deal or not, and eu sources say their chief negotiator, michelle barnier, has told european ministers we are now tilting towards no deal. and while politicians talk, the uncertainty affects businesses everywhere. the manager of this sawmill in somerset says he is ready to adapt. we have to be as positive as we possibly can about it and move forward. we employ three, four people and a couple of part—time workers, and to having to let people go

is the worst thing for me, so my biggest fear is having to let staff members go if there are price increases and we become less efficient and if we go into recession. tomorrow, boris johnson heads to brussels for dinner with the president of the european commission, a last chance to find a breakthrough and a trade deal both sides can sign up to. vicki young, bbc news, westminster. a little earlier, our ireland correspondent emma vardy explained what progress had been made in the implementation northern irish elements of brexit. well, there's been a cautious welcome from businesses here. because after so much uncertainty and agreement, and some decisions means they now have something they are able to plan for. but really, the devil will be in the detail that will be revealed tomorrow. so as we were just hearing, remember, from january, northern ireland enters the special arrangement where it remains closer to the eu than the rest of the uk.

and no matter what happens, it means ports here in northern ireland are gearing up for new paperwork and new checks that they never had to deal with before. now previously, borisjohnson once famously said to people who were worried about the irish sea border, "don't worry, guys, by the time we're through with all this, you'll be able to chuck some of that paperwork in the bin." now tomorrow, we will find out if that's really the case, and just how much the burden of extra red tape on traders has been reduced. and why is that important, of course? because it has a knock—on effect for the prices of the goods that people here pay for on the shelves. 0ur poltical correspondent jess parker is in westminster. the prime minister off to brussels for dinner tomorrow, hoping the power of sweet reason will bring about the deal and is he taking anything else? yes, he said he hopes the power sweet reason will prevail but a lot of people have been speaking about the idea of compromise between the uk and the eu over recent months but actually

finding a place where they can compromise on those particularly tricky issues and the governments of any deal in fisheries as well in competition rules has proved difficult. it is a couple of phone conversations in the last few days and they have not led to any breakthroughs in the talks and as i understand it, he will sit down with her in there won't be negotiating exactly but they will be looking at the various disagreements and whether or not they can direct those chief negotiators to make any further progress and not a lot of time left and make get about a few weeks in today is the prime minister is set off for the transition period comes to an end. he has a bit of sway, the predecessorfar more involved i think than a lot of the british public realise in the prime

minister, is his hope that they'll bea minister, is his hope that they'll be a will to bring about some sort of record. we have heard recently that the veto would be prepared to view to a deal fuel it did not bring enough benefit to their fishing communities and the timing is so interesting because borisjohnson sits down for dinner at night. on thursday, he of the european council and at the state across the eu meeting across the uk not in attendance because the uk is no longer a member of the european union to be will have those have those have the state fair and as i understand it, the trade deal discussions not on the agenda for the european council but that doesn't mean it cannot be discussed around the margins it'll be really interesting to see whether there is a progress between borisjohnson and ursula vonda line or whether or not

that gets taken in an informal format to those uk had to state. now it's time for a look at the weather with darren bett. hello there. most of the fog has lifted today, but through this evening and the first part of the night, it will thicken up again across parts of east anglia down into kent ahead of all this showery rain that's moving its way down from the north, through the midlands and eventually, towards the southeast and east anglia, lifting the fog eventually. some showers following on behind, some clearer skies developing here, probably quite a wet start first thing in the morning but that heavy rain moves away a few showers follow must be diminishing many plates will be brightening up with some sunshine at times and i to the west, client will thicken it was he what weather push into northern ireland, was built in the southwest of england during the afternoon. still quite cold air and temperatures in the latter once run six or 7 degrees. temperatures will

not change a great deal through the rest of the week, looks generally dry and cloudy on thursday, but a greater chance of catching some rain here and there on friday. hello, this is bbc news. the headlines... a momentous day in the global fight against coronavirus. 90—year—maggie keenan is the first person in the world to receive the pfizer vaccine outside trials. the moment marks the start of the biggest vaccination campaign in the history of the nhs. the health service says thousands of inoculations have taken place across the uk today. no news on a trade deal, but the uk and eu have reached agreement on how rules in the brexit withdrawal deal will be implemented, particularly in relation to northern ireland. rugby world cup winner steve thompson and seven other former players are to take legal action, claiming the sport has left them with permanent brain damage.

the queen and senior members of the royal family meet volunteers and key workers at windsor castle to thank them for their work throughout the pandemic. and in the next half hour, we remember the life of former beatlejohn lennon, who was killed in new york a0 years ago today. let's return to news today that the uk has begun to roll out the pfizer biontech vaccine, with the first person receiving their firstjab this morning in coventry. the health secretary has been to one of the hospitals involved in the roll—out in milton keynes. let's hear what matt hancock had to say. i've always believed that this vaccine was going to arrive. and, you know, people have told me throughout this year, "0h, it'll never happen. no vaccine for a coronavirus has ever been developed." but i always believed that the scientists would do theirjob. and now the nhs is doing itsjob, and help is here. but there's still time

to get this rolled out, and it's so important everybody sticks by the rules and does what we know works to suppress his fires whilst we get this job done. —— to suppress this virus. are you 100% confident that the distribution of this vaccine will be smooth in the coming weeks and months, and there will be major delays? —— and there won't be major delays? well, i've got no doubt that the nhs is up to the enormous task of rolling out this vaccine. but we know that it is an enormous task, and the nhs has vaccination programmes all the time — the annual flu vaccination, for instance, this year, 30 million people. but this is bigger and harder, so there'll be complications and it'll be challenging. but i have no doubt that the nhs is up to it. the roll—out of the pfizer vaccine has been heralded as one of the greatest achievements in the history of the nhs, so what did it's chief executive

have to say after the first vacines were given? it's less than a year since the first coronavirus case was diagnosed. and yet, here we are today, beginning vaccinations across the nhs. so that's a remarkable achievement on the part of not just the scientists and researchers, and the regulators, but today, of course, the pharmacist in the nurses, and the doctors. the patients and the nurses i've been speaking to, are incredibly enthusiastic. in many ways, this is the nhs at its best, getting new vaccinations to vulnerable patients who need them for free. well, as you know, there's a three—week gap between having your first vaccination and your booster jab. so for the vast majority of people who start their vaccinations this side of christmas, they'll be having their booster jabs after christmas. and that's one of the reasons why the majority of people getting the covid vaccination, that'll be in january through april as the manufacturers give us more vaccine supply.

so this is a phased programme. and in the meantime, we've alljust got to continue taking all the sensible measures we know about to keep the coronavirus infection under control. well, it's the biggest vaccination programme in the history of the nhs, and the beginning of the road back to some sort of normality. the health secretary for england matt hancock says he hopes current restrictions will be lifted by the spring and people will be able to go on summer holidays. 0ur health correspondent catherine burns looks at some of the big questions surrounding the covid jab. the first thing most people want to know is when they'll get the vaccine — and generally, the answer is no time soon. we've got around 800,000 doses of this pfizer vaccine to start with. that's enough for 400,000 people. so, the plan is to start with the most vulnerable — over—80s, care home staff, and some front line nhs workers. but even people in these groups might not get it

until into the new year. one thing to remember is that the regulator is looking at other vaccines and, when and if it approves them, it should speed things up. so, this is where that first vaccination happened this morning, and it's been going on all day. it's one of up to 70 hospital hubs across the country. they're starting with hospitals because they've got the freezers to keep this vaccine at —70 celsius. soon, before christmas, the hope is to get the vaccines out to care homes and some gp surgeries. and then, in the new year, there will be vaccination centres in conference halls and sports stadiums. we saw maggie keenan having her first injection this morning and saying she didn't feel a thing. well, more than 20,000 volunteers have had the pfizer vaccine during clinical trials, and a small number of them did experience some side effects. they were pretty mild — things like a sore arm or may be feeling a bit headache—y or tired for a few days. the immune system does start to kick in some after the first injection,

but for this particular vaccine, after 21 days, patients need a second booster dose. and then, a week after that, they'll reach their full level of immunity. so, if someone had it today, that would be on the 5th of january. 0ne really important thing to note, though, this vaccine is up to 95% effective, which means it works for most people but not absolutely everybody. this pfizer vaccine has been through rigorous safety checks, but there are some things we just can't know yet. for example, how long does it protect us for? we'lljust have to wait and see. another question is, does it stop the virus from spreading? so, we know that it stops people from getting sick, but we don't know if it also prevents them from getting infected in the first place and so passing it on to others. all this means that if you are one of the lucky few to have had

the vaccine so far, for now, you need to stick to social distancing. president—electjoe biden has publicly introduced the health team that will lead his administration's fight against the covid—19 pandemic. during the event, he announced a three—point plan that will be carried out in his first 100 days in office. the first is mask wearing. my first 100 days will require — i'm going to ask for a masking plan. everyone, for the first 100 days of my administration, to wear a mask. and we'll start with my sign—in order on day one to require a mask where i can under the law, like federal buildings, interstate travel on planes, trains and buses. he also pledged to get schools reopened and also made this promise on vaccines. this team will help get at the latest — at the last 100 million covid—19 vaccines — at least 100 million covid vaccine shots into the arms

of the american people in the first 100 days. 100 million shots in the first 100 days. and we will follow the guidance of science to get the vaccines to those most at risk. that includes health care professionals, people in long—term care. and, as soon as possible, we will include educators. this will be the most efficient mass vaccination plan in us history. at the same time, donald trump was holding an event to outline america's vaccine roll—out. pfizer's vaccine is expected to be given emergency approval by us regulators on thursday, and donald trump outlined how the vaccine would be rolled out in the states. if authorised, tens of millions of vaccine doses will be available this month, and we will get it distributed very quickly. we'll have that all set, and hundreds of millions more will quickly follow. every american who wants the vaccine will be able to get the vaccine.

and we think by spring, we will be in a position that nobody would've believed possible just a few months ago. applause amazing. pupils across scotland will not sit highers or advanced highers next year, after the country's education secretary john swinney announced the exams were being cancelled due to the pandemic. 0ur correspondent alexandra mackenzie reports from glasgow. so, we get to a stage in maths where we have to dispense with numbers. pupils here should be looking forward to the christmas holidays after months of disruption. they have already missed one year of exams. now, fifth and sixth years have just heard they will not be sitting there highers and advanced highers. it takes off a lot of stress considering the people who have had to isolate. i have had to isolate and it's very difficult to catch up on the work you have missed.

i'm pleased and also terrified, because i've not had the experience of sitting an exam. ijust feel like i would not be getting the same kind of experience as past years. the nat fives had already been cancelled, and there was pressure to also replace the highers with teacher assessment. this is safe, it is fair, and it better recognises the reality of the disruption that many pupils have had to their learning in the course of the last few months. at this school in glasgow, a quarter of its pupils — that's around 500 — have had to self—isolate at least once. some have been off several times. 0ne senior teacher at the school welcomed the decision, but has some reservations. is this assessment robust enough to stand up to possible moderation? at the end of the day, what we don't want to do is get people to sit assessments and for them to come

round and say, "sorry, they don't stand up to scrutiny and you are inadvertently disadvantaging someone's potential future. it was also confirmed in the scottish parliament that all 11 councils under the toughest level 4 coronavirus restrictions will move down to level 3 from friday — so nonessential shops and hospitality can reopen. alexander mackenzie, bbc news, glasgow. some news out of paris, a match between paris st. germain and basaksehir, it seems that both teams have walked off following an alleged racist incident, racist abuse by an official. allegedly a uefa official on the pitch. this picture has emerged on twitter which actually picks up on the racism stance, "say

no to racism," this is the club's official account. it seems there was some racist comment made between an official and a referee, a uefa official, leading to both sides walking off. the game has stopped between the two sides, paris st. germain and basaksehir, it's not clear what will be resolved there. but we will try and get more on that for you, and plenty more on the sports website as well. let's get back to education. schools in england have been told they can shut and start the christmas break early by scheduling an "in—service training day" for next friday — 18 december. ministers say they want staff to have six clear days before christmas eve so that teachers and heads do not have to assist with track and trace by identifying potential coronavirus cases throughout the festive break.

a service has been held at st paul's cathedral to mark national grief awareness week. a minute's silence was held to remember those who have died this year and to support those grieving during the pandemic. my colleaguejane hill has been at the service in st paul's today, where she spoke to mark baxter — who recently lost his brother to a brain tumour — and asked him why national grief week was so important. well, i think it's important for everybody to have a point of reflection this year. i unfortunately lost my brother on 28 october very suddenly, really, which happened to be my mother's birthday. so for so many people, you know, who've got their own story to tell, especially this past year, i think to have a time

when we can all come together and share in grief — which is something we haven't been able to do this year. you've probably heard stories all day, really, about how people were not with their loved ones when they passed because of the covid situation. and i can't believe how harrowing that would've been for so many people. but like i say, for us to have a national reflection i think is something that's really important. and whether someone has lost someone through coronavirus or, sadly, as in your brother's case, something else entirely, a different health issue — you still haven't been able to be with people, none of us have been able to be with people and have those normal conversations and a hug, and a shared cup of tea and shared memories. all that's been taken away, and so many people have said that today. it's heartbreaking to hear those stories. and i think that if we learn anything from this particular year, it is the fact that it's more emphasised now that we're not really a nation that does

grief very well anyway — you know, the "stiff upper lip" brigade, let's say. well, it's time that we forgot about all that, because grief is something that's very personal to people. but it's also on different levels. so i think to treat it just as one subject, we need to come out of the closet a little bit with that. and we need to realise that there are different stages and different types of grief for those people that lose loved ones. and did you and yourfamily find it hard to access help or information, or guidance? absolutely, absolutely. i think that's something that the good grief trust especially is trying to give people the access. because there are so many institutions and small charities in people's local area that they have no idea about. so to be able to go to one source and be able to find someone that deals with the particular grief that you're suffering in your area, i think is crucial

for us to move forward. and there are tributes to some of the thousands of british people who have died in the pandemic at bbc.co.uk/news or on our news app. a0 years ago today on 8 december, 1980, the former beatlejohn lennon was shot dead as he returned home to the dakota apartment building in new york with his wife, yoko ono. it was a killing that shocked millions of his fans around the world. since his death, lennon's stature and influence has grown. tom brook was reporting live from the dakota shortly after the former beatle died — he's been taking a very personal look back at the night and lennon's legacy. # imagine there's no heaven... in strawberry fields — that part of new york's central park dedicated tojohn lennon's memory — his fans routinely play and perform his music. it is just a stone's throw from the dakota. a0 years ago on the night lennon died, i was a young,

inexperienced journalist, newly settled in new york. i rushed to the dakota to help relay first news of the former beatle's shocking demise to early morning radio listeners in britain. tom, can you tell us exactly what happened ? john lennon was killed two hours ago. i've got most of my information from talking to the literally hundreds of fans who are now congregating outside the dakota building, where they're going to hold an all—night vigil... people were choked with emotion. so was i. at the time, i was a lennon fan myself, as this slightly scary picture taken from my first bbc id card might suggest. as news of his death spread, it traumatised millions around the world. nearly everyone can remember exactly where they were when they first got word that he had been killed. the violence of lennon's death is what truly shocked.

but a0 years on, the trauma has receded. lennon now has a new generation of fans, some very young. what is it that you like about john lennon's music in particular? do you like the words he uses? yeah, i like the words and i like the music. and i like the rhythm and how it all goes together. i think that it's about something that is very important. he's got a real reputation for being a man of peace and spirituality, which i think speaks to the moment today in a pretty fundamental way. i mean, the song "imagine" is sort of a banner song of what we're all trying to work for right now.

# imagine all the # imagine allthe people... today, in these pandemic—weary, conflict ridden times, young musicians like tom mcgahern in seattle really embrace lennon's message. the fact that he emphasised love and peace and this idea of striving for something that doesn't currently exist, i still see that message as something that we need. thinking about something that's beyond ourselves isjust incredibly powerful. not everything in relation to lennon was wondrous. he could be mean and nasty, and he admitted that he had abused women. none of this has really affected his legacy. if anything, his stature as a musician has grown since he died. he's still making an impact. he had one of the truly great voices in rock history. and now you have artists like liam gallagher of oasis and then modern bands like tame impala, who all get that very specific, lennonesque vocal sound because it's such a trademark.

# imagine all the # imagine allthe people... i think what i like most about lennon was that he had an authentic voice, not just musically. he did and said some stupid things, but he wasn't a fake. something quite refreshing to ponder in our age of endless posturing by politicians and celebrities. tom brook, bbc news, new york. his former beatles band mates have taken to social media to mark today's anniversary. sir paul mccartney tweeted a picture of him together withjohn lennon, with the caption... ringo starr also tweeted this warm tribute, in which he urged "every music radio station in the world to play ‘strawberry fields forever‘ some time today." let's speak to the broadcaster and author, paul gambaccini. paul, you were broadcasting on the day of his death, as well, in the

evening on the old grey whistle test. and you are a fan ofjohn lennon like thoms brooks. how did you hear the news? it was 5:30am and i was awakened by my brother phoning me from new york. he lived and lives four blocks from the dakota. and he said to me, "i have terrible news i thought you would like to hear from me." my first thought was family, but then he told mejohn lennon had been murdered. "i know your phone is about to start ringing, and i thought i should warn you." and we reminisced for about three minutes. i took a shower, and my brother was right, as soon as i stepped out of the shower, my phone started ringing andi the shower, my phone started ringing and i was off for the longest working day of my life. every broadcast media in great britain wa nted broadcast media in great britain wanted to have interviews aboutjohn lennon. so in those pre—mobile phone days, to be on the air, you had to be in the studio, not like what

we're doing now. so i and a handful of other people were just crisscrossing central london to all the various studios, and we would have to call home to find out who else had called us. so we would be told and say, "ok, we will have a travel plan, three stations coming up travel plan, three stations coming up next." travel plan, three stations coming up next. " we travel plan, three stations coming up next." we would do that, call out, find out who else, then we would run out to the same people. any peoples, who had the last british interview with john, any peoples, who had the last british interview withjohn, had the most traumatic day of his life. it ended at the old grey whistle test late at night, and nightingale was the host, and paul mccartney called in and said, "linda and i are watching. you're doing a greatjob." it was a true day of world grief for this outstanding and eventual. but also it was shocking because it was unprecedented. nowadays, there's a rap star shot dead in about every year. in those days, shooting a pop

star dead was unthinkable. and this is one reason why, with president kennedy, there was the shock as well as grief because thatjust didn't happen. well, shooting john lennon was unthinkable, until it happened. he was a man of such speech and passive video, to have met such a violent and like this? this was the ultimate irony, and one which was ca ptu red ultimate irony, and one which was captured for me perfectly at his local chemists. whenever i'm in new york, i walked local chemists. whenever i'm in new york, iwalked past local chemists. whenever i'm in new york, i walked past this chemist, and in the photo there's —— window there's a photo ofjohn lennon who was a customer there. and it says, "we will always remember our beloved john lennon, his message of peace will live on forever." this touched me more than any broadcast tribute because this was a neighbour to neighbour. this was personal grief expressed in the best way at the calmest. it was personal, but it was

also political, wasn't it? did that setjohn lennon apart, in terms of putting the really strongly political feelings into it? it was very interesting that the word assassination was used— although we 110w assassination was used— although we now know it was a random act of violence, the killerjust wanted to kill someone who is world—famous. but lennon was such known figure with such known views, he'd been opposed by richard nixon who tried to keep them out of the united states, and the feds had actually been spying on him. and so his getting his green card to stay in america was a tremendous political victory. so his murder took on the tones of an assassination, that was indeed news. paul, great to speak to you, a0 years on from that terrible day. thanks for joining you, a0 years on from that terrible day. thanks forjoining us here on bbc news. the queen and senior members of the royal family have met volunteers and key workers

at windsor castle to thank them for their work this year. windsor is the final stop on the duke and duchess of cambridge's tour of britain to pay tribute to individuals and organisations that have helped others during the pandemic. 0ur royal correspondent nicholas witchell‘s report contains flash photography. it is the season to say thank you, most particularly 00:55:25,555 --> 2147483052:04:27,492 if you are a member of the royal 2147483052:04:27,492 --> 4294966103:13:29,430 family charged with expressing