US gives final nod to emergency use of Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine

Washington: The US has given a final nod for the emergency use of Pfizer’s COVID-19 vaccine, paving the way for its use in the country worst-hit by the pandemic, with the first dose set to be administered in less than 24 hours.
The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) on Friday issued the emergency use authorisation (EAU) to the vaccine developed by American pharmaceutical giant Pfizer and its German partner BioNTech to combat the disease that has killed over 294,000 people in the country.
Today our nation has achieved a medical miracle. We have delivered a safe and effective medicine in just nine months, US President Donald Trump said in a video soon after the FDA approval.
“We have delivered a safe and effective vaccine in just nine months. This is one of the greatest scientific accomplishments in history. It will save millions of lives and soon end the pandemic once and for all. I am thrilled to report that the FDA has authorised the Pfizer vaccine, Trump said.
The US is the first nation in the world to produce a verifiably safe and effective vaccine. Today’s achievement is a reminder of America’s unlimited potential, Trump said, adding that it would be provided free to Americans.
I’m proud to say that we have made sure that this vaccine will be free for all Americans. Through our partnership with FedEx and UPS, we have already begun chipping the vaccine to every state and zip code in the country. The first vaccine will be administered in less than 24 hours, Trump said.