London | The British Medicines Agency assured Friday that its swift decision to authorize Pfizer / BioNTech’s COVID-19 vaccine, a first in the Western world, met all safety standards, after criticism of the speed of the process .
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“No vaccine would be authorized in the UK if it did not meet standards for safety, quality and efficacy,” the Medicines and Health Products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) said in a statement.
“Every vaccine goes through solid clinical trials that meet international standards,” she added.
Immunologist Anthony Fauci, member of the White House crisis cell on the new coronavirus, estimated Thursday that the MHRA had “rushed this approval”, which occurred Tuesday, before apologizing.
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“I have great confidence in what the UK is doing, both scientifically and regulatory,” the director of the US Institute of Infectious Diseases told the BBC.
“Our process takes longer than in the UK. It’s just the reality, ”he added, swearing that he did not want to“ imply that there was a lack of seriousness, even if that is what came out. “
On Friday, a spokesperson for British Prime Minister Boris Johnson praised Mr. Fauci’s about-face and recalled that the MHRA had claimed earlier in the week to have “worked in the most rigorous manner on this vaccine, without neglecting any aspect “.
“We have been absolutely clear that this vaccine is safe given the rigorous standards it has been subjected to as part of its review by the MHRA,” the spokesperson told reporters.
The UK Medicines Agency explained its speed by launching an ongoing review of data provided by Pfizer and BioNTech as human trials progress, rather than waiting for all the data are compiled at the end.
“If you are a health regulator a little late, what do you say to justify your delay? Things like those that we heard, perhaps, “responded Thursday to the first criticisms Jonathan Van Tam, deputy chief medical officer for England.
Europeans and Americans await this month the response of their respective health agencies on the approval of the vaccine from Pfizer / BioNTech.
Meanwhile, the UK plans to begin injecting 800,000 first doses next week, prioritizing residents of nursing homes.