UK becomes first country to approve Pfizer/BioNtech COVID-19 vaccine
London: The UK on Wednesday became the first country to approve the Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine against COVID-19, paving the way for mass vaccinations against the deadly novel coronavirus.
The British regulator, the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA), says the jab, which claims to offer up to 95 percent protection against COVID-19 illness, is safe for rollout.
The joint vaccine, produced by American pharmaceutical giant Pfizer and German biotech firm BioNTech, had recently claimed trials suggested it works well in people of all ages, races, and ethnicities.
The UK government had asked the MHRA to look into the data to clear it for use if it meets "robust" standards of quality, safety, and effectiveness.
The UK is expected to receive a total of 40 million doses by the end of 2021, enough to vaccinate up to a third of the population, with the majority of doses anticipated in the first half of next year.
If approval is granted, the NHS (National Health Service) will be ready to deliver. The NHS has vast experience in delivering widespread vaccination programs and an enormous amount of work has taken place to ensure we have the logistical expertise, transport and workforce to roll out a vaccine according to clinical priority, at the speed at which it can be manufactured," UK Health Secretary Matt Hancock had said last month.
The UK government stressed that the COVID-19 vaccine will only be authorized for supply by the UK's independent regulator if it meets strict standards of quality, safety, and effectiveness, and if they are satisfied the vaccine can be consistently manufactured.
The MHRA is the UK's independent regulator, hailed as a globally recognized institution for requiring the highest standards for quality, safety, and effectiveness.
The vaccine will be manufactured in BioNTech's German sites, as well as Pfizer's manufacturing site in Belgium.
The UK government said it remains confident that the cold supply chain needed to distribute the Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine will not cause any problems or delays. When the vaccine is stored in a fridge, it has an effective life of up to five days at temperatures of 2 to 8 degrees, which will allow it to be easily stored at distribution centers.
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Chhattisgarh CM announces Rs 5 lakh aid for Kerala lynching victim’s family
Raipur (PTI): Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai has announced an assistance of Rs 5 lakh for the family of a migrant worker from the state who was killed in a mob lynching incident in Kerala.
Ramnarayan Baghel (31), a resident of Karhi village in Chhattisgarh's Sakti district, was allegedly beaten to death on December 17 after being accused of involvement in theft at Kizhakeattappallam of Palakkad district in the southern state.
Describing the incident as unfortunate and inhuman, Sai, in a post on 'X' on Monday night, said, "I am deeply saddened by the unfortunate and extremely inhumane incident that occurred with Ramnarayan Baghel, a migrant worker from Chhattisgarh, in Palakkad, Kerala. Such violence against any innocent citizen is a disgrace to civilised society."
He urged the Kerala government to ensure the strictest legal action against those involved in this heinous crime, so that such inhuman incidents don't recur.
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"The Chhattisgarh government stands firmly with the bereaved family with full sensitivity in this difficult time. I have announced a financial assistance of Rs 5 lakh to the victim's family," he wrote.
Sai stated that the deceased man's family members were immediately sent to Kerala, and arrangements have been made to bring his body to his native village with due respect.
The remains will be brought to Chhattisgarh by Tuesday, he added.
He reaffirmed that the Chhattisgarh government is fully committed to the safety, dignity and justice of its citizens and will extend all possible support to the victim's family.
According to Kerala police, five people have been arrested so far for allegedly beating Baghel to death on suspicion of theft.
