Pfizer / BioNTech vaccine approved by the WHO as a breakthrough for developing countries

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The vaccine was first approved in the UK for emergency use in the country on December 8, with the US, Canada and European Union following shortly after. They have all started their own vaccination trips.

But the World Health Organization (WHO) green light means that countries without their own regulatory agencies, or the means to accurately assess vaccine efficacy and safety, can speed up their own approval processes and begin rolling out vaccination programs.

There is concern about the unequal distribution of vaccines as wealthier countries have either purchased or signed contracts to purchase large quantities of the available doses or are awaiting approval.

In a statement on Thursday, the WHO said organizations like UNICEF and the Pan-American Health Organization can now purchase the vaccine for distribution to countries in need.

“This is a very positive step to ensure global access to Covid-19 vaccines. But I want to emphasize the need for an even greater global effort to achieve sufficient vaccine supply to meet the needs of priority populations everywhere,” said Dr. . Mariângela Simão. , WHO’s Assistant Director General for Access to Medicines and Health Products.

“The WHO and our partners are working day and night to evaluate other vaccines that meet safety and efficacy standards. We encourage even more developers to come forward for review and evaluation. It is vital that we have the critical provision. safeguard what is needed to serve all countries. the world and stop the pandemic. ”

The WHO team and independent experts reviewed the data on the safety, efficacy and quality of the Pfizer / BioNTech vaccine to conduct a benefit-risk analysis, the statement said.

“The review found that the vaccine met WHO established criteria for safety and efficacy, and that the benefits of using the vaccine to address Covid-19 outweighed the potential risks,” he said.

A group of WHO immunization experts will meet on January 5 to formulate policies and recommendations for the use of the vaccine in the population. It also helps them set up cold supply chains as the vaccine must be stored at 60-90 degrees Celsius.

While the Pfizer / BioNTech vaccine is the first to be approved by the WHO, it is hoped that cheaper and more easily distributed options will become available soon.

One such option is the Oxford / AstraZeneca vaccine, which was approved by British regulators on Wednesday. The country will start administering the shots from January 4.

AstraZeneca has pledged to deliver hundreds of millions of doses to low- and middle-income countries, and to deliver the non-profit vaccine to those countries forever.

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