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Americans Await Final Approval of First COVID-19 Vaccine as Deaths Reach
Record High

VOA News

   The countdown has begun for the U.S. Food and Drug Administration's
   anticipated final approval of a coronavirus vaccine developed by U.S.
   pharmaceutical giant Pfizer and Germany's BioNTech, shown to be 95%
   effective in preventing COVID-19.

   The FDA is widely expected to authorize emergency use of the vaccine --
   possibly later Friday or Saturday -- after a special panel of the
   agency voted for its approval Thursday.

   The decision came as the United States recorded a one-day record of
   deaths from the coronavirus, with more than 3,100 lives lost in a
   single day earlier this week.

   As of Thursday evening, the U.S. had recorded 15.5 million cases and
   more than 291,000 deaths, according to Johns Hopkins University data.

   Of the 22 people on the FDA panel, 17 voted in favor of authorizing the
   vaccine, four voted no and one abstained on the question: "Based on the
   totality of scientific evidence available, do the benefits of the
   Pfizer/BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine outweigh its risks for use in
   individuals 16 years of age and older?"

   The four panelists who dissented largely expressed concern about giving
   the vaccine to 16- and 17-year-olds. Teens younger than 18 were
   represented in small numbers in studies for the vaccine, and during the
   hours of deliberations, some scientists worried the effects on this age
   group weren't known well enough.

   The vaccine was approved after hours of deliberation on topics
   including allergic reactions to the vaccine recorded in Britain this
   week.

   The FDA panel's recommendation was hailed by President-elect Joe Biden.

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