On December 21st, 2020, Europes medicines regulator is expected to assess the COVID-19 vaccine which has been jointly developed by the US firm Pfizer and BioNTech, its German partner, with an approval to put Europe on course to start inoculations within a week.

Countries across the European Union, including Germany, Austria, and Italy have stated that they plan to commence vaccinations from December 27th as Europe tries to catch up to the United States and Britain where the vaccine roll-out began earlier this month.

As per credible sources, after the approval from the European Medicines Agency (EMA), a last clearance is required from the European Commission. This final clearance is likely to follow on Wednesday, December 23rd, 2020.

Head of the Commission Ursula von der Leyen has already set the target of starting the vaccinations in the period of December 27 to December 29, almost immediately after Christmas.

Reportedly, pharmacists, retired doctors, student medics, and soldiers are being delegated into a European vaccination campaign on a scale never-before-seen. Further, the phased-in vacation approach will prioritize the frontline healthcare workers as well as elderly residents in care homes, with most of the national vaccination schemes not getting to the general public until end of first quarter 2021.

The 27-member European Union aims to reach the coverage of 70 per cent of its 450 million population.

Apparently, the drugs regulator in Switzerland has authorized the usage of vaccine for people aged over 16 on Saturday, December 18th, 2020.

Source credit: https://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/world/pfizer-covid-19-vaccine-european-medicines-regulator-review-13815118