On Wednesday, Britain became the world’s first country to approve the use of the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine and said it would be rolled out early next week.
In the midst of a global pandemic that has killed almost 1.5 million people and upended the global economy, a vaccine is seen as the best chance for the world to get back to some semblance of normality.
“The government has today accepted the recommendation from the independent Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) to approve Pfizer-COVID-19 BioNTech’s vaccine for use,” the government said.
“The vaccine will be made available across the UK from next week.”
The UK Vaccine Committee will decide which priority groups, such as care home residents, health and care staff, elderly people, and people who are extremely clinically vulnerable, will get the jab first.
In trials of their vaccines, which are both based on new messenger RNA (mRNA) technology, both Pfizer-BioNTech and US biotech firm Moderna have reported preliminary findings of more than 90 percent effectiveness – an unexpectedly high rate.
Pfizer said the emergency use authorization from Britain marks a historic moment in the battle against COVID-19.
“Since we first declared that science will win, this authorization is a goal we have been working towards and we applaud the MHRA for their ability to conduct a careful evaluation and take timely action to help protect the people of the UK,” 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.”
Secretary of Health Matt Hancock said the programme would start early next week. Hospitals, he said, were ready to receive it already.
“It is very good news,” said Hancock.