The UK government said it has authorised Pfizer and BioNTech's coronavirus vaccine, becoming the first country in the world to approve the injection.
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Pfizer said the approval marked a "historic moment" in the fight against coronavirus.
The UK government said it accepted the recommendation from the Medicines & Healthcare products Regulatory Agency to approve the 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," a Department of Health & Social Care spokesperson said.
The Joint Committee on Vaccinations & Immunisations will publish its final advice for the priority groups to receive the vaccine, which includes care home residents, health and care staff and the elderly.
The vaccine will be made available across the UK from next week.
"The NHS has decades of experience in delivering large-scale vaccination programmes and will begin putting their extensive preparations into action to provide care and support to all those eligible for vaccination," the spokesperson said.
The BioNTech/Pfizer shot and another one being developed by US firm Moderna have taken the lead in the global chase for a vaccine, after large-scale trial data in November showed that their jabs were around 95% effective against coronavirus.
The EU's European Medicines Agency said Tuesday it would hold an extraordinary meeting on December 29 "at the latest" to consider emergency approval for the vaccine developed by Germany's BioNTech and the US's Pfizer.
Pfizer and BioNTech on Wednesday said they expect further regulatory decisions across the globe "in the coming days and weeks" and are ready to deliver vaccine doses. ■
A low pressure wave forming along a cold front will track across the New England coast this morning, bringing a period of rain, heavy at times for much of New England, especially for Maine today.