The UK's medicine regulator has approved Johnson & Johnson's COVID-19 vaccine for use, the health ministry said in a statement on Friday, making it the fourth COVID-19 shot available for use in the country.
The UK also cut its order for the single-dose shot, also known as J&J unit Janssen's vaccine, amid issues with the company's supply chain and reports of rare blood clots.
Britain has given two-thirds of the population a first dose of COVID-19, and the government cited the "unprecedented scale and pace" of the roll-out as behind the decision to cut its order to 20 million doses from the original order for 30 million doses.
"As Janssen is a single-dose vaccine, it will play an important role in the months to come as we redouble our efforts to encourage everyone to get their jabs and potentially begin a booster programme later this year," health minister Matt Hancock said.
J&J's vaccine is already approved in the United States and European Union, where reports of rare blood clots are being reviewed.
The shot uses similar viral vector technology to the Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine, where similar clots have been reported.
The government said the shot would be available later in the year.
Extreme heat kills more than 1,300 in Portugal
Tour bus rolls over on New York highway, killing 5
EU, UK, Australian foreign ministers condemn Israel's new settlement plan
Famine officially confirmed in Gaza by UN-backed body
North Korea's Kim decorates soldiers from Russia, consoles children with hugs
