ADVERTISEMENT
  • The Membership Club
  • PT Hausa
  • About Us
  • Advert Rates
  • Careers
  • Contact Us
Saturday, January 16, 2021
Premium Times Nigeria
  • Home
  • COVID-19
  • News
    • Headline Stories
    • Top News
    • More News
    • Foreign
  • Investigations
  • Business
    • News Reports
    • Financial Inclusion
    • Analysis and Data
    • Business Specials
    • Opinion
    • Oil/Gas Reports
      • FAAC Reports
      • Revenue
  • Opinion
  • Health
    • News Reports
    • Investigations
    • Data and Infographics
    • Health Specials
    • Features
    • Events
    • Primary Health Tracker
  • Agriculture
    • News Report
    • Research & Innovation
    • Data & Infographics
    • Special Reports/Features
    • Investigations
    • Interviews
    • Markets
  • Arts/Life
    • Arts/Books
    • Kannywood
    • Lifestyle
    • Music
    • Nollywood
    • Travel
  • Sports
    • Football
    • More Sports News
    • Sports Features
  • Projects
    • Parliament Watch
    • Panama Papers
    • Paradise Papers
    • AGAHRIN
  • Home
  • COVID-19
  • News
    • Headline Stories
    • Top News
    • More News
    • Foreign
  • Investigations
  • Business
    • News Reports
    • Financial Inclusion
    • Analysis and Data
    • Business Specials
    • Opinion
    • Oil/Gas Reports
      • FAAC Reports
      • Revenue
  • Opinion
  • Health
    • News Reports
    • Investigations
    • Data and Infographics
    • Health Specials
    • Features
    • Events
    • Primary Health Tracker
  • Agriculture
    • News Report
    • Research & Innovation
    • Data & Infographics
    • Special Reports/Features
    • Investigations
    • Interviews
    • Markets
  • Arts/Life
    • Arts/Books
    • Kannywood
    • Lifestyle
    • Music
    • Nollywood
    • Travel
  • Sports
    • Football
    • More Sports News
    • Sports Features
  • Projects
    • Parliament Watch
    • Panama Papers
    • Paradise Papers
    • AGAHRIN
Premium Times Nigeria
BUA Group Ad BUA Group Ad BUA Group Ad
ADVERTISEMENT
Pfizer vaccines used to illustrate the story.

Pfizer vaccines used to illustrate the story.

UK becomes first country to approve Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine

The vaccine offers 95 per cent protection against the virus.

byNike Adebowale
December 2, 2020
2 min read

The United Kingdom has become the first country to formally approve the Pfizer and BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine, indicating a huge symbolic milestone in the fight against the pandemic.

The vaccine, which has been authorised for emergency use by the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Authority (MHRA), offers 95 per cent protection against the virus.

The UK government has bought 40 million doses of the vaccine but will receive an initial batch of 800,000, which will be rolled out next week, according to a report on BBC News.

According to the report, the initial batch will cover a relatively small number of healthcare workers, care home staff and residents, and people over the age of 80.

By the end of the year, the supply will likely ramp up into the “millions,” Health Secretary Matt Hancock told the BBC.

Nearly 1.5 million people around the world have died from the novel coronavirus, with more than 271,000 deaths in the U.S. and nearly 60,000 in the UK.

The UK has one of the highest COVID-19 deaths per capita in the world, behind only Italy, Spain, Peru, and Belgium, according to Johns Hopkins University.

The vaccine by Pfizer, a U.S. pharmaceutical giant, and its German partner BioNTech, is one of three front-runners that have delivered promising results in recent weeks. Clinical trials found it was 95 per cent effective at preventing symptomatic COVID-19.

“It’s fantastic. It’s the protection of vaccines that will ultimately allow us to reclaim our lives and get the economy moving again,” Prime Minister Boris Johnson said.

RelatedNews

Nigeria records worst day in COVID-19 management with 23 deaths

NMA expresses concern over increase in COVID-19 infections among healthcare workers

COVID-19, Yellow fever, Lassa fever, three other infectious diseases Nigeria battled in 2020

Nigerian scientists brief Osinbajo on potential drug for coronavirus

A report on NBCnews quoted the CEO of Pfizer, Albert Bourla, as saying, “this authorisation is a goal we have been working towards since we first declared that science will win.”

Approval

In the U.S., both Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna have submitted applications to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for emergency approval.

Moderna, a U.S pharmaceutical firm, on November 16, had announced that its COVID-19 vaccine candidate was 94.5 per cent effective.

Dangote adbanner 728x90_2 (1)

The FDA is expected to meet to discuss these vaccines next week and the week after respectively.

BioNTech CEO Uğur Şahin told NBC News that he was “confident that an authorisation in the U.S. could also happen within the next two weeks.”

The European Union will wait longer than that; its regulator announcing on Tuesday that it would not make a decision on the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine until as late as December 29, and Moderna’s by January 12.

Meanwhile, the World Health Organization (WHO) told Reuters that it had received data from the companies and was reviewing it for “possible listing for emergency use” — meaning it could be rolled out quicker in developing countries.

Nigeria

The Director-General of Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), Chikwe Ihekweazu, had said efforts are being made to ensure that Nigerians have access to the COVID-19 vaccines when available.

“We have to start preparing Nigerian population for vaccine delivery when it becomes available,” he said.

ADVERTISEMENT

“Access is a very key issue when it comes to vaccines; that a vaccine is developed does not necessarily translate to being available to those that need it the most.”

The Nigerian government has also inaugurated an 18-member national COVID-19 task team to ensure “vaccine security” when it finally gets to the country.

  • WhatsApp
  • Tweet
  • Email
  • Print
  • Telegram
  • More
  • Share on Tumblr
  • Pocket

Support PREMIUM TIMES' journalism of integrity and credibility

Good journalism costs a lot of money. Yet only good journalism can ensure the possibility of a good society, an accountable democracy, and a transparent government.

For continued free access to the best investigative journalism in the country we ask you to consider making a modest support to this noble endeavour.

By contributing to PREMIUM TIMES, you are helping to sustain a journalism of relevance and ensuring it remains free and available to all.

Donate


TEXT AD: To advertise here . Call Willie +2347088095401...


JOIN THE CONVERSATION

  • Disqus (0)
premiumtimes



PT Mag Campaign AD

Previous Post

CAN wades into Umahi, Anyim feud

Next Post

Tinubu Commiserates with Zulum, Borno People over Zabarmari Tragedy

Nike Adebowale

Nike Adebowale

Nike Adebowale covers the health beat.  She holds a degree from Ekiti State University, Ado Ekiti. Twitter: @nikeadebowale1 

More News

Alex Saab

Venezuelan ‘diplomat’ detained in Cabo Verde appeals U.S. extradition ruling

January 16, 2021
The UN health agency warned that tobacco’s killer toxins also wreak havoc on the environment. [Photo: ITV.com]

Whistleblower files lawsuit against tobacco foundation

January 16, 2021
A river used to illustrate the story

Cholera responsible for over 25 deaths in Benue – Official

January 15, 2021
Ugandan voters [Photo Credit: The Africa Report]

#UgandaDecides: Museveni takes early lead over Bobi Wine as vote count continues

January 15, 2021
Prof Ignatius Uduk

Professor accused of election fraud rejects new prosecution lawyer

January 15, 2021
Sani Aliyu, National Coordinator of the Presidential Task Force on COVID-19

COVID-19: Nigeria not considering another lockdown – Official

January 15, 2021
Next Post
APC Chieftain, Bola Tinubu

Tinubu Commiserates with Zulum, Borno People over Zabarmari Tragedy

Speaker of the House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila. [PHOTO CREDIT: Official Twitter account of the Speaker]

Zabarmari Killings: Buhari pledges to honour Reps’ invitation – Gbajabiamila

Discussion about this post

Search

#EndSARS: Latest Updates




Polaris Bank


JAIZ Ad


NITDA Ad




Advertisement






netherland biz school Advert

Zenith Advert

Heritage Advert
ADVERTISEMENT

Our Digital Network

  • PT Hausa
  • Election Centre
  • Human Trafficking Investigation
  • Centre for Investigative Journalism
  • National Conference
  • Press Attack Tracker
  • PT Academy
  • Dubawa
  • LeaksNG
  • Campus Reporter

Resources

  • Oil & Gas Facts
  • List of Universities in Nigeria
  • LIST: Federal Unity Colleges in Nigeria
  • NYSC Orientation Camps Address Nationwide
  • Nigeria’s Federal/States’ Budgets since 2005
  • Malabu Scandal Thread
  • World Cup 2018
  • Panama Papers Game
  • Our Digital Network
  • About Us
  • Resources
  • Projects
  • Data & Infographics
  • DONATE

All content is Copyrighted © 2020 The Premium Times, Nigeria

No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • COVID-19
  • News
    • Headline Stories
    • Top News
    • More News
    • Foreign
  • Investigations
  • Business
    • News Reports
    • Financial Inclusion
    • Analysis and Data
    • Business Specials
    • Opinion
    • Oil/Gas Reports
      • FAAC Reports
      • Revenue
  • Health
    • News Reports
    • Investigations
    • Data and Infographics
    • Health Specials
    • Features
    • Events
    • Primary Health Tracker
  • Agriculture
    • News Report
    • Research & Innovation
    • Data & Infographics
    • Special Reports/Features
    • Investigations
    • Interviews
    • Markets
  • Arts/Life
    • Arts/Books
    • Kannywood
    • Lifestyle
    • Music
    • Nollywood
    • Travel
  • Sports
    • Football
    • More Sports News
    • Sports Features
  • Projects
    • Panama Papers
    • Paradise Papers
    • Parliament Watch
    • AGAHRIN
  • Opinion
  • PT Hausa
  • The Membership Club
  • Dubawa
    • Dubawa NG
  • About Us
  • Advert Rates
  • Careers
  • Contact Us
  • Digital Store
  • DONATE

All content is Copyrighted © 2020 The Premium Times, Nigeria

Our website uses cookies. By continuing to use this website you are giving consent to cookies being used. Visit our Privacy and Cookie Policy.
loading Cancel
Post was not sent - check your email addresses!
Email check failed, please try again
Sorry, your blog cannot share posts by email.