WHO grants ’emergency validation’ to Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine

Emergency validation of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine was granted by the World Health Organization on Thursday, paving the way for countries around the world to rapidly authorize its importation and distribution.

On December 8, Britain initiated its U.S.-German vaccine inoculation campaign, with the United States, Canada and EU countries following suit.

Since the novel coronavirus first broke out in China a year ago, WHO said the Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine was the first to receive its 'emergency validation.'

"This is a very positive step towards ensuring worldwide access to vaccines for COVID-19," said Mariangela Simao, a senior WHO official responsible for ensuring access to medicines.

But I would like to emphasize the need for an even greater global initiative to achieve an adequate supply of vaccines to meet the needs of priority populations worldwide," she said in a statement."

WHO said its listing of emergency use opens the way for authorities in various countries to authorize the vaccine's import and distribution.

It also helps UNICEF, which plays a crucial logistical role in the distribution of anti-Covid vaccines, and the Pan American Health Organization to provide countries in need of the vaccine.

WHO convened its own experts and others from around the world to review the data on the "safety, efficacy and quality" of the Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine, weighing the benefits against the risks.

"The review found that the vaccine met the safety and efficacy criteria laid down by the WHO and that the benefits of using the vaccine to deal with COVID-19 offset potential risks," it said.