PFIZER D1The UK is the first country in the world to approve a coronavirus vaccine from Pfizer and BioNTech. The vaccine will be available nationwide from December 7th. The authorities have already ordered 40 million doses of the drug. Since for the vaccine to be effective, patients need to be given two injections, the drug will last for 20 million people, The Guardian notes.
The first to receive the vaccine will be Britons with an increased risk of infection - first residents and staff of nursing homes, then other citizens over 80 years old and then healthcare workers. Mass vaccination for people over 50, as well as young citizens with chronic diseases, will become possible with the receipt of more doses of the drug in 2021.
Pfizer and BioNTech also filed applications for their vaccine on November 20 with the US Food and Drug Administration and on November 30 with the European Medicines Agency. If the approval of the American regulator is received, the use of the drug in Europe could begin as early as December. The cost of one dose of the vaccine for EU countries will be 15.5 ($ 18.34) euros, Reuters previously reported.
According to the test results, Pfizer and BioNTech estimated the effectiveness of their vaccine at 95%. Of the 170 volunteers who tested the drug and contracted the coronavirus, 162 received a placebo and only 8 were vaccinated with the candidate vaccine.
