EU Pfizer Vaccine Approval "The Start of a Turnaround"... US Administers First Moderna Vaccine Dose (Summary)

EU Commission President "The Success Story of Europe Begins"
Biden "Vaccine is a Great Hope... No Worries at All"
Health Authorities of Each Country "Vaccine Effective Against Variant Viruses"

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[Asia Economy Reporter Hyunwoo Lee] The European Union (EU) has approved the use of Pfizer's COVID-19 vaccine, and with the start of vaccinations using the second vaccine, Moderna, in the United States, humanity's counterattack to overcome COVID-19 is gaining momentum. U.S. President-elect Joe Biden also emphasized the safety of the vaccine through a public vaccination.

EU to Begin Vaccinations Across 27 Countries This Weekend

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According to foreign media including the Associated Press on the 21st (local time), the European Medicines Agency (EMA) recommended conditional marketing authorization of the COVID-19 vaccine jointly developed by U.S. pharmaceutical company Pfizer and German BioNTech to the European Union (EU) Commission. The EU Commission is expected to announce the final official approval within the day. After the official approval process is completed, it is anticipated that Pfizer vaccinations will begin in the 27 EU member countries.

Ursula von der Leyen, President of the EU Commission, stated in a press release that "Vaccinations can start simultaneously under the same conditions in all EU member states from the 27th," adding, "The vaccine is a good way to end this difficult year and finally start turning the tide against COVID-19. Europe's success story will begin from now on." The EU Commission previously announced that it had signed a contract to purchase 200 million doses of the Pfizer vaccine, with an option to buy an additional 100 million doses. EU member states are reportedly planning to start Pfizer vaccinations between the 27th and 29th.

U.S. Begins Moderna Vaccinations; Biden Also Vaccinated

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On the same day, the United States began vaccinations with the second approved vaccine, Moderna. This came just one week after the start of Pfizer vaccinations on the 14th. According to CNN, the first recipient of the Moderna vaccine in the U.S. was nurse Mandy Delgado, who works in the intensive care unit at Hartford Healthcare Hospital in Connecticut. Earlier, on the 18th, the U.S. became the first country in the world to approve the Moderna vaccine, securing two commercial COVID-19 vaccines.

According to CNBC, the Moderna vaccine is easier to transport than the Pfizer vaccine and is expected to be distributed to more locations. Alex Azar, U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services, said at a press briefing, "The Moderna vaccine will be shipped to about 3,500 locations, compared to 636 locations for the Pfizer vaccine, and can be stored in rural areas where the Pfizer vaccine is difficult to reach," adding, "This week, an additional 7.9 million doses of vaccines will be distributed, including 2 million doses of Pfizer and 5.9 million doses of Moderna."

Coinciding with the start of Moderna vaccinations, President-elect Biden publicly received the Pfizer vaccine to dispel doubts about its safety. Biden's vaccination was broadcast live on TV and the internet. In a media interview immediately after vaccination, Biden emphasized, "There is nothing to worry about," and said, "The vaccine deserves to be called a great hope." Biden is scheduled to receive the second dose of the Pfizer vaccine around January 11, three weeks later.

Despite Concerns Over UK Variant, "Vaccines Effective Against Variants"

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Amid growing fears about the COVID-19 variant spreading mainly in the UK, health authorities worldwide maintain that the variant is unlikely to significantly reduce vaccine efficacy.

According to U.S. political media The Hill, Moncef Slaoui, Chief Advisor of the U.S. Operation Warp Speed, said at a press briefing, "There is no scientific evidence that the variant virus is actually more contagious," and emphasized, "It is important that there is no evidence that it is more pathogenic or has a higher mortality rate than the previous virus."

EMA Chief Executive Officer Emer Cooke, who recommended approval of the Pfizer vaccine on the same day, also warned at a press conference that "There is currently no evidence that the Pfizer vaccine is ineffective against the new variant spreading in the UK," and cautioned against excessive fear of the variant virus.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.