United Kingdom Approves the Pfizer and BioNtech COVID-19 Vaccine
The companies are ready to ship doses immediately.
The United Kingdom’s Medicines & Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) granted a temporary authorization for emergency use for Pfizer and BioNtech’s COVID-19 vaccine.
The 2 companies said they are ready to ship the first doses of their mRNA vaccine, BNT162b2, immediately, and are expected to be able to supply the UK with up to 40 million doses in 2020 and 2021.
“Today’s Emergency Use Authorization in the UK marks a historic moment in the fight against COVID-19,” Pfizer’s Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Albert Bourla, said. “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 UK.”
This approval becomes the first in what is expected to be several approvals for the vaccine in the coming weeks and months in other European countries and the United States.
“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,” Boula said. “With thousands of people becoming infected, every day matters in the collective race to end this devastating pandemic.”
To learn more about this vaccine including its phase 3 global trial, efficacy, and prospective distribution, go here.
