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Add to Preferred SourcesTo speed up access to COVID-19 vaccinations in the developing world, on the eve of the new year, the UN health agency approved Pfizer and BioNTech’s vaccine for emergency use.
Regulatory experts convened by the World Health Organization (WHO) from around the world and the UN agency’s own teams reviewed the data on the Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine and found that it met WHO’s must-have criteria for safety and efficacy – with its benefits offsetting any potential risks.
“This is a very positive step towards ensuring global access to COVID-19 vaccines,” said Dr. Mariângela Simão, WHO Assistant-Director General for Access to Medicines and Health Products.
“But I want to emphasize the need for an even greater global effort to achieve enough vaccine supply to meet the needs of priority populations everywhere”.
The move opens the door for countries to expedite their own regulatory approval processes to import and administer the vaccine.
It also enables UNICEF and the Pan-American Health Organization (PAHO) to procure the vaccine for distribution to countries in need.
At the same time, WHO is encouraging more developers to come forward for review and assessment to satisfy the critical supply for all countries globally to stem the pandemic.