In the UK, we will only use COVID-19 vaccines that meet the required standards of safety and effectiveness. All medicines, including vaccines, are tested for safety and effectiveness before they’re allowed to be used. Each vaccine was tested in tens of thousands of people in several different countries and shown to be safe and effective. You will be given one of these vaccines depending on which one is available and appropriate. These vaccines may not have a full UK marketing authorisation (license) yet but will have been authorised by the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) based on a full assessment of their safety and effectiveness. The MHRA will only approve a vaccine for supply in the UK if the expected standards of safety, quality and efficacy are met. The vaccines currently available require two separate doses to provide the best longer-term protection.