The highest health authority in France announced today that the Pfizer/BioNTech coronavirus vaccine "can be used in persons of 16 years and over... due to its effectiveness."

The opinion of the health authority constitutes the last regulatory step before the start of the vaccination campaign Sunday in France.

"We confirm that this first vaccine has a place in the vaccination strategy, given its effectiveness and the rate of acceptance (of bodies) for it, which is excellent news," said Dominique Le Gouloudic, head of the Supreme Health Authority in France, during an Internet press conference.

She added that people living in elderly homes and healthcare workers will be the first to receive the vaccine.