A new "second generation" Covid booster vaccine has been approved for use in the UK.
The "bivalent" jab - which targets Omicron as well as the original strain of the deadly virus - is manufactured by Pfizer/Biotech, and follows a similar booster from Moderna that was given the green-light last month.
It was approved for over-12s by the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA).
The regulator today confirmed that the vaccine meets its standards of safety, quality and effectiveness with no new side-effects identified compared to the first Pfizer jab.
The company said shipping would begin immediately so the booster can be used in the Autumn programme, which will see 26 million eligible in England.
All adults over 50, younger people with health conditions that put them at highest risk, carers and those who live with the clinically vulnerable will be eligible for a jab.
There are currently no plans to roll out a booster jab to all adults.
Dr June Raine, MHRA chief executive said: "I am pleased to announce that we now have a second approved vaccine for the UK autumn booster programme.
"The clinical trial of the Pfizer/BioNTech bivalent vaccine showed a strong immune response against the Omicron BA.1 variant as well as the original strain.
"Bivalent vaccines are helping us to meet the challenge of an ever-evolving virus, to help protect people against Covid-19 variants.
"We have in place a comprehensive safety surveillance strategy for all UK-approved Covid-19 vaccines, and this will include the updated booster we approved today."
Professor Sir Munir Pirmohamed, chair of the Commission on Human Medicines, said: "Following an independent review of the safety, quality and effectiveness of the vaccine, the Commission on Human Medicines and its Covid-19 Vaccines Expert Working Group supports the MHRA's decision.
"As with any medicinal product, including vaccines, it is important to continually monitor effectiveness and safety when it is deployed, and we have the relevant processes and expertise in this country to do that.
"The Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) will advise on how this vaccine should be offered as part of the deployment programme."
Susan Rienow, country president, Pfizer UK, said: "We are delighted with today's approval by the MHRA of Pfizer-BioNTech's Omicron BA.1-adapted bivalent Covid-19 vaccine.
"We have been following the science since the beginning of the pandemic and are pleased to be able to provide the National Health Service with another tool in the armoury.
"We have been manufacturing the new vaccine at risk and doses will be shipped immediately for use in the autumn booster programme to help protect people in the UK this winter season."
People in care homes will be the first to get a dose in the latest rollout, officials confirmed.
NHS director of vaccinations and screening, Steve Russell, said: “The NHS will begin vaccinating those who are most vulnerable to Covid from next week, with the autumn campaign kicking off in care homes from Monday and 4 million more people will be invited to come forward later in the week.
“NHS staff are gearing up once again to deliver these vaccines at speed, rolling out jabs at more than 3,000 sites across England in order to provide the maximum protection ahead of winter.”
Health Secretary Steve Barclay said: “An autumn booster will top up the immunity of those most vulnerable to Covid ahead of the winter to help us continue to live with this virus without restrictions.
“Please come forward for your booster and flu vaccine when invited.”
