United Kingdom First Country to Approve Use of Pfizer Vaccine - Vaccinations to Begin Next Week
Wednesday, December 02, 2020
The United Kingdom has become the first country in the world to approve the Pfizer/BioNTech coronavirus vaccine, paving the way for mass vaccination, according to the BBC on Wednesday.
Britain's healthcare regulator, the MHRA, made the announcement of the approval.
The company claims that trials show the vaccine offers up to 95% protection against COVID-19 virus. In the U.S., the FDA is presently reviewing the trials and data and may approve the vaccine's usage in the next two to three weeks.
GET THE LATEST BREAKING NEWS HERE -- SIGN UP FOR GOLOCAL FREE DAILY EBLASTThe first 800,000 doses will be available in the UK next week, Health Secretary Matt Hancock said according to the BBC.
The U.K. has ordered 40 million doses, enough to vaccinate 20 million people. The UK is expecting an initial 800,000 doses to arrive in Britain next week.
Hancock said the speed at which vaccinations will take place will depend on how quickly the shot can be manufactured at a plant in Belgium, but the government is expecting “many millions” of doses by the end of the year.
“This will start small and ramp up. The vast majority of vaccinations we expect to be in the New Year,” Hancock said.
Elderly people, those in care homes and some NHS staff will be prioritized first - although more details on the priority list is due later, reports the BBC.
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