The UK becomes the first country to authorize the COVID-19 vaccine created by German and American companies Pfizer and BioNTech. The vaccine will be available across the country starting next week.
According to the spokesperson of the Health and Social Care Department of the United Kingdon, the local government has accepted the recommendation from the Independent Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) to approve Pfizer/BioNTech’s COVID-19 vaccine for use.
The vaccination will begin in the coming days, with priority groups being vaccinated first. The Agency's experts concluded that the vaccine fully complies with strict safety, quality, and efficacy standards.
“The Joint Committee on Vaccinations and Immunisations (JCVI) will shortly publish its final 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 statement said.
According to preliminary forecasts, the vaccine will be available in the UK starting next week. The vaccination involves the introduction of two doses for each person.
Pfizer called the decision a "historic moment" in the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic. Meanwhile, in Ukraine, it has become a marketing move to use COVID-19 in medicine and vaccine advertisement.