Pfizer, BioNTech seek emergency use of Covid-19 vaccine in US

Washington, November 21

Pfizer formally asked US regulators on Friday to allow emergency use of its Covid-19 vaccine, starting the clock on a process that could bring limited first shots as early as next month and eventually an end to the pandemic — but not until after a long, hard winter.

The action comes days after Pfizer Inc. and its German partner BioNTech announced that its vaccine appears 95 per cent effective in preventing mild to severe Covid-19 disease in a large, ongoing study.

The companies said protection and a good safety record means the vaccine should qualify for emergency use authorisation, something the Food and Drug Administration can grant before the final testing is fully complete. In addition to the FDA submission, they have already started “rolling” applications in Europe and the UK and intend to submit similar information soon. — AP