UPDATED: UK approves Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine for use, first in the world
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Britain on Wednesday became the first country in the world to approve the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine for use and said that it will be rolled out from early next week.
“The Government has today accepted the recommendation from the independent Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) to approve Pfizer-BioNTech’s COVID-19 vaccine for use,” the government said.
“The vaccine will be made available across the UK from next week.”
Pfizer said Britain’s emergency use authorization marks a historic moment in the fight against COVID-19.
“This authorization 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 U.K.,” said CEO Albert Bourla.
“As we anticipate further authorizations and approvals, we are focused on moving with the same level of urgency to safely supply a high-quality vaccine around the world.”
Health Secretary Matt Hancock said the programme would begin early next week. Hospitals, he said, were already ready to receive it.
“It is very good news,” Hancock said.
British Prime Minister Boris Johnson said it was “fantastic” that the country’s medicines regulator had formally authorised the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine for use, a move that he said would get the economy moving again.
“It’s fantastic that the MHRA has formally authorised the Pfizer BioNTech vaccine for Covid-19,” he said on Twitter. “The vaccine will begin to be made available across the UK from next week.
“It’s the protection of vaccines that will ultimately allow us to reclaim our lives and get the economy moving again.”
England’s Chief Medical Officer Chris Whitty said it would take until spring to fully vaccinate the vulnerable population who wish to receive the jab.
Main Photo: (FILE) – A composite image showing logos of German biopharmaceutical company BionTech in Mainz, Germany, and logo outside Pfizer headquarters in New York, New York, USA. EPA-EFE/RONALD WITTEK / ANDREW GOMBERT
