UK govt green lights Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine for emergency use
According to British newspaper 'Guardian', the vaccine has been approved for emergency use by the Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Authority (MHRA).
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The publication reported that the first dose of the vaccine may arrive in the United Kingdom in the coming days. It added that the Boris Johnson led government has brought 40 million doses of the vaccine, which has 95% efficacy in its final trials.
“Today’s emergency use authorisation in the UK marks a historic moment in the fight against COVID-19. This authorisation is a goal we have been working toward since we first declared that science will win, and we applaud the MHRA for their ability to conduct a careful assessment and take timely action to help protect the people of the UK,” CEO of Pfizer Albert Bourla was quoted by Guardian.
“As we anticipate further authorisations and approvals, we are focused on moving with the same level of urgency to safely supply a high-quality vaccine around the world. With thousands of people becoming infected, every day matters in the collective race to end this devastating pandemic.”
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According to the BBC, Pfizer-BioNTech was among a group of companies that had managed to develop a vaccine from concept to reality. The process to develop it took only 10 months.
The channel reported that the group that is most likely too receive the vaccine first are people at highest risk.
The BBC said that a provisional priority list drawn up by experts had identified care home residents and staff, followed by people over 80 and other health and social care workers as top priority.
The channel reported that the these groups may receive the first stocks of the vaccine before Christmas.
The vaccine has to be administered in two injections, 21 days apart, with the second dose being a booster.
Pfizer coronavirus vaccine over 90% effective, says manufacturer
