London; 02 Dec 2020 (UMMN): UK has become the first western country to license Pfizer/BioNTech Covid-19 vaccine for emergency use from next week for those most at risk, opening the way for mass immunisation.
According to The Guardian, the UK has bought 40m doses of the vaccine, which has been shown to have 95% efficacy in its final trials.
“The government has today accepted the recommendation from the MHRA to approve Pfizer/BioNTech’s Covid-19 vaccine for use… 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”, said a Department of Health and Social Care spokesman.
The health secretary, Matt Hancock, said the first doses would be issued to the most vulnerable people. The UK would have 800,000 doses available next week, he said.
Hancock told BBC News each person would need two jabs and older people and those in care homes, including staff, would be first in line for immunisation.
Albert Bourla, the chairman and chief executive officer of Pfizer added: “Today’s emergency use authorisation in the UK marks a historic moment in the fight against Covid-19.
