Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s father Stanley has said he will get a coronavirus vaccine as soon as he is eligible.

The 80-year-old told the PA news agency he will “certainly go and be vaccinated” and intends to “encourage others to do so”.

Downing Street said earlier on Monday that the Prime Minister encourages all eligible people to receive a coronavirus vaccine when asked whether his father should take it.

Mr Johnson Sr said: “Of course I am, I welcome the opportunity if my name crops up … I shall certainly go and be vaccinated.

“And I shall encourage others to do so.”

He added: “I’m all for it.”

Care home workers, NHS staff and people aged 80 and over will begin receiving the jab from Tuesday.

Regulators have set out that the vaccine is both “safe and effective”, the Prime Minister’s official spokesman said.

“The Prime Minister would encourage anybody who is called forward to take one get one,” he added.