LONDON: There is no guarantee that Pfizer/BioNTech’s COVID-19
Britain became the first country to approve the vaccine candidate developed by Germany’s BioNTech and Pfizer, jumping ahead of the rest of the world in the race to begin a crucial mass inoculation programme.
Prime Minister Boris Johnson warned of logistical challenges in distributing the vaccine, which has to be stored at -70C (-94F), across the National Health Service (NHS).
Following the emergency approval, roll-out will initially be focussed on hospitals rather than community settings.
Although it can be kept for five days in a regular fridge, Van-Tam said there was a limit to how often it can be taken out of a fridge and put back, with implications for its distribution to care homes.
“The NHS, the (medicine regulator) MHRA are…