The World Health Organization (WHO) on Thursday approved the coronavirus vaccine for Pfizer and BioNTech.
The vaccine, called Comirnaty, is the first coronavirus vaccine approved by the agency and added to the emergency list (EUL), according to the announcement.
WHO’s authorization for emergency use follows the approval of the vaccine by the US FDA on 11 December and the European Commission on 21 December.
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By adding the vaccine to the WHO’s emergency list, the agency has made it easier for countries to ‘speed up their own regulatory approval processes to import and administer the vaccine’, the announcement reads.
The EUL also allows UNICEF and the Pan American Health Organization to obtain and distribute the vaccine to countries in need.
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In the announcement of Thursday, dr. Mariângela Simão, Assistant Director-General of the WHO for access to medicines and health products, emphasized the need for global access to the vaccine.
“This is a very positive step in ensuring global access to COVID-19 vaccines,” Simão said. “But I want to emphasize the need for an even greater global effort to achieve sufficient vaccine supply to meet the needs of the populations of priority everywhere.”
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“WHO and our partners work day and night to evaluate other vaccines that have met the standards of safety and efficacy,” Simão added. “We encourage even more developers to come forward for review and review. It is of utmost importance that we ensure the essential supply to serve all countries around the world and stem the pandemic.”
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WHO did not specify what role, if any, could play the vaccine approval in its COVAX strategy, which aims to provide access to COVID-19 vaccines in developing countries. However, the agency said the vaccine was under policy review.
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According to the announcement, the WHO’s strategic advisory group on immunization experts will formulate specific vaccine policies and recommendations for the Pfizer and BioNTech vaccine in the new year.
The agency will also help countries that do not have access to ultra-cold chain equipment, as the vaccine must be stored at -60 ° C to -90 ° C.