Pfizer/BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine receives UK approval, immunizations start next week

Editor's Note

Pfizer/BioNTech received emergency approval from the UK’s Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) on December 2 for its COVID-19 vaccine, making the UK the first country to approve the vaccine, the December 2 BBC News reports.

The UK has ordered 40 million doses, and MHRA says the first doses are already on their way from Pfizer’s facilities in Belgium and will be made available across the country beginning next week.

An Operation Warp Speed document sent to American governors estimates initial shipments of the Pfizer/BioNTech’s vaccine will be delivered in the US December 15, followed by Moderna’s vaccine December 22 (https://www.kten.com/story/42990672/first-shipments-of-pfizer-vaccine-to-be-delivered-december-15). However, these dates are contingent on the US Food and Drug Administration’s decision to grant emergency use authorizations for both vaccines.