Officials defend UK vaccine decision: ‘No corners whatsoever have been cut’

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Published on December 2, 2020 by

Representatives from the UK regulatory authority which approved the COVID-19 vaccine developed by Pfizer and BioNTech have reassured the public the decision was not rushed – despite the nation’s worsening virus situation.

Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency said it carried out a “rigorous” assessment of all available evidence and was “globally recognised for requiring high standards of safety, quality and effectiveness”.

“This vaccine has only been approved because those strict tests have been done and complied with, and everyone can be absolutely confident that no corners whatsoever have been cut,” the agency’s chief executive Dr June Raine said.

The UK government will begin rolling out the vaccine from next week.

It has secured 40 million doses, but the vaccine will not be made mandatory.

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson warned residents not fall into the “naive belief the struggle is over”.

Mr Johnson said the vaccine would take “some months” before all the most vulnerable are protected – each of which will require two injections weeks apart.

“The first phase will include care home residents, health and care staff, the elderly and those who are clinically extremely vulnerable,” he said.

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