The United Kingdom became the first Western country to approve a coronavirus vaccine, which is expected to be distributed as early as next week.
The Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine was approved on Monday by Britain’s medicines regulator, with the first 800,000 doses to become available within a week, according to the BBC.
It’s fantastic that @MHRAgovuk has formally authorised the @Pfizer/@BioNTech_Group vaccine for Covid-19. The vaccine will begin to be made available across the UK from next week. (1/2)
— Boris Johnson (@BorisJohnson) December 2, 2020
“I would like to thank all those who have made this possible,” Prime Minister Boris Johnson said Monday when addressing members of Parliament. “It is the protection of vaccines that will ultimately allow us to reclaim our lives and get our economy moving again.
Health Secretary Matt Hancock, however, warned that people should wait until they are contacted by the country’s National Health Service, adding that elderly people in nursing homes and nursing home staff will be the top priority for receiving the vaccine. Healthcare staff and those over 80 years old will be second in priority.
The country, which has had over 1.6 million cases of COVID-19 and nearly 60,000 deaths, has ordered 40 million doses of the vaccine, which would be enough to vaccinate 20 million people.
According to Hancock, “several millions” will arrive throughout December, after the first doses arrive next week. The doses will be made by Pfizer in Belgium.
“I’m confident now, with the news today, that from spring, from Easter onwards, things are going to be better,” Hancock said. “And we’re going to have a summer next year that everybody can enjoy.”
Russia also announced it would distribute its own vaccine beginning next week.
In the fall, the country approved its vaccine, dubbed Sputnik V, becoming the first country in the world to grant regulatory approval for a COVID-19 vaccine.
Sputnik V has been highly touted by Russian President Vladimir Putin, but it has come under skepticism by many Western scientists.
The Gamaleya Research Institute of Epidemiology and Microbiology, which developed Sputnik V, cited positive results coming from the vaccine this week, with its efficacy rising to 95% after 42 days. Initially, the vaccine was around 91.4% effective, according to Canadian broadcaster CBC.
The news of its efficacy resulted in praise from British scientific experts, who changed their tones from their initial doubts.
“I see no reason to doubt [the results],” said Ian Jones, a professor of virology at the University of Reading. “I agree that their initial results caused consternation, but I don’t think it’s because they weren’t valid. They were released a bit soon. I think it’s going to be a useful vaccine.”
Worldwide, over 63 million people have become infected by the virus.
