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The World Health Organization (WHO) approved Pfizer and BioNTech’s coronavirus vaccine for emergency use on Thursday.
The vaccine, which goes by the name Comirnaty, is the first coronavirus vaccine approved by the agency and added to its Emergency Use List (EUL), according to the announcement.
The WHO emergency use authorization follows approval of the vaccine by the US FDA on December 11 and the European Commission on December 21.
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By adding the vaccine to the WHO Emergency Use List, the agency made it easier for countries to “accelerate their own regulatory approval processes to import and administer the vaccine,” according to the announcement.
The EUL also enables UNICEF and the Pan American Health Organization to source and distribute the vaccine to countries that need it.
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In Thursday’s announcement, Dr Mariângela Simão, WHO Assistant Director-General for Access to Medicines and Health Products, underscored the need for global access to the vaccine.
“This is a very positive step to ensure global access to COVID-19 vaccines,” said Simão. “But I want to emphasize the need for an even greater global effort to achieve sufficient vaccine supplies to meet the needs of priority populations everywhere.”
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“WHO and our partners are working around the clock to evaluate other vaccines that have achieved safety and efficacy standards,” added Simão. “We encourage more developers to come forward for review and evaluation. It is vitally important that we secure the critical supply necessary to serve all countries of the world and stop the pandemic.”
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The WHO did not specify what role, if any, vaccine approval could play in its COVAX strategy, which aims to provide access to COVID-19 vaccines in developing countries. However, the agency said the vaccine is under policy review.
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The WHO Strategic Advisory Group of Experts on Immunization will formulate “specific vaccine policies and recommendations” for the Pfizer and BioNTech vaccine in the new year, according to the announcement.
The agency will also help countries that do not have immediate access to ultra-cold chain equipment, as the vaccine must be stored between -60 ° C and -90 ° C degrees.
