UK Grants AstraZeneca World's First Emergency Use Authorization (Comprehensive)

[Asia Economy Reporter Jeon Jin-young] On the 30th (local time), the UK government approved the emergency use of the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) vaccine being developed by the British pharmaceutical company AstraZeneca and Oxford University.

[Image source=Yonhap News]

According to foreign media, the UK Department of Health announced that it made this decision by accepting the recommendation of the UK Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) on the same day.

With this, the UK became the first country in the world to approve the emergency use of the AstraZeneca vaccine. Earlier this month, the UK had also approved the Pfizer vaccine.

Local media reported that the vaccine could be distributed as early as December 4.

Matt Hancock, UK Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, said on the day, "Once AstraZeneca production becomes possible, we will distribute it as soon as possible," adding, "This vaccine is very helpful because the interval between the first and second doses can be up to 12 weeks."

AstraZeneca CEO Pascal Soriot said, "Today is a very important day for the British people to receive the new vaccine," and added, "The vaccine has been shown to be effective, is easy to manage, and simple to administer. AstraZeneca plans to supply the vaccine without profit."

Meanwhile, AstraZeneca has not applied for emergency use approval in the European Union (EU). The European Medicines Agency (EMA) stated, "Since AstraZeneca has not applied for approval, it is possible that approval will not be granted by January next year."

South Korea has signed a contract to purchase 10 million doses of the vaccine with AstraZeneca.

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