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EU regulators recommend Pfizer/BioNTech’s Covid-19 vaccine for authorization
(CNN) The European Union drugs regulator has recommended authorizing the Pfizer/BioNTech Covid-19 vaccine for use, paving the way for the first phase of the bloc’s mass vaccination program to begin later this week.
In a closed-door meeting in Amsterdam on Monday, the European Medicines Agency (EMA) granted the Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine a conditional marketing authorization, green lighting the drug for distribution.
Before the 27-nation bloc can begin its rollout, the European Commission must give its final approval, which European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen would likely happen later on Monday.
“It’s a decisive moment in our efforts to deliver safe & effective vaccines to Europeans,” von der Leyen tweeted. “Now we will act fast. I expect a decision by this evening,” she said.