The UK has become the first country in the world to approve the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine for the people. It is termed "safe" to use on those most at risk such as elderly people in care homes. The first doses of the coronavirus vaccine are expected to arrive in the country from next week.
British regulator, the Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Authority (MHRA) claimed the UK has bought 40m doses of the vaccine (enough to vaccinate 20m people) which can provide up to 95% protection against COVID-19 illness, according to BBC.
Prime Minister Boris Johnson tweeted:
A Department of Health and Social Care spokesman said, "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 vaccine will be made available across the UK from next week," the government said.
The statement
“This follows months of rigorous clinical trials and a thorough analysis of the data by experts at the MHRA who have concluded that the vaccine has met its strict standards of safety, quality and effectiveness," the spokesman stated verifying the vaccine's safety measures.
Pfizer-BioNTech and US biotech firm Moderna have been sharing preliminary findings of more than 90% effectiveness of this RNA (mRNA) technology vaccine which could help the body fight COVID-19 and build immunity.
“The joint committee on vaccination and immunisation will shortly also publish its latest advice for the priority groups to receive the vaccine, including care home residents, health and care staff, the elderly and the clinically extremely vulnerable. The vaccine will be made available across the UK from next week,” the spokesman added.
So far, the global pandemic has killed nearly 1.5 million people in the world.
Also Read: Malala Yousafzai, Shabana Azmi Among Global Leaders Demanding Free COVID 19 Vaccine Worldwide
Feature Image Credit: Harvard. Edu
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