The COVID-19 vaccine will be free for all French citizens, Prime Minister Jean Castex has announced.

French Prime Minister Jean Castex at a past function in Paris, France, on July 3, 2020. (File photo: Xinhua)

Castex made the announcement at a media briefing on Thursday, a day after the U.K. became the first country to approve a COVID-19 vaccine as the world continues its fight against the virus.

"Our first objective was to ensure that France will have enough vaccines when the time comes," he said.

"France will have a potential of 200 million doses which would make it possible to vaccinate 100 million people since the vaccine currently requires 2 injections."

Other countries that have announced free COVID-19 vaccination for their citizens include Finland and Japan.