Fantastic news that the first COVID-19 vaccine has been approved for routine use so quickly. Here is why I am happy to be vaccinated and why I want my family and friends to have a vaccine too... 1/10 #InjectionforProtection #DocsforVax https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-55145696

Widespread vaccination was always our best and only route out of the pandemic. The fewer people who carry the virus, the slower it can spread. By being vaccinated, we protect not only ourselves but our family, friends, work colleagues and so on, even strangers on the bus.... 2/10

The UK has one of the best and strictest drug regulatory processes in the world. Testing new drugs is a thing we are really good at. Anyone who has worked on a clinical trial will vouch for the rigour and safety of @MHRAgovuk and @HRA_Latest processes. 3/10

Vaccines are the single most powerful health intervention of all time. Readers of 19th century novels will recognise the terrible impact of measles, polio, TB and many other infectious diseases. These are a thing of the past in most countries, but only because of vaccines. 4/10

Being involved in running vaccine trials @NHSBartsHealth I know just how much care and attention is taken to make sure COVID vaccines are safe and effective. So I will be having the vaccine and every doctor I know is happy to as well. 5/10

There are big plans to get everyone vaccinated. We will hear a lot about this in the coming weeks. The vaccine will be offered to those most at risk first, as well as most NHS staff. I have already had my #flujab this year so I can stay well and look after my patients. 6/10

If you are offered a vaccine please accept it. There will be different ones available but they are all tested in large clinical trials and only approved if they work. So don't worry which one you are offered. 7/10

If you are young and healthy, you may have to wait until the spring but we still need volunteers for clinical trials of the new vaccines coming through (which may work even better) so taking part in a trial is one way to get ahead. 8/10

It's fine to ask questions about vaccination but sadly, some people will campaign against it - ironically the same people who campaign against #HandsFaceSpace. Please make sure you get your information from a trusted source. @bbchealth has some excellent stuff. 9/10

Doctors, Nurses and Allied Health Professionals, please use your voice and encourage everyone you know to get vaccinated when offered. Some hashtags to start us off: #InjectionforProtection #DocsforVax 10/10