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The UK could be weeks ahead of the US in approving a COVID-19 vaccine, according to a new report.
Regulators in the UK could give the green light to Pfizer and the BioNTech vaccine this week, the Telegraph reported.
Government sources tell the newspaper officials are about to start a formal evaluation of the vaccine and the National Health Service has been told to be ready to administer it by December 1.
The UK officially asked its medical regulator, the MHRA, last week to assess the suitability of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine.
It has ordered 40 million doses and expects to have 10 million doses, enough to protect 5 million people, available by the end of the year if regulators approve it.
Up to 30,000 volunteers are needed to administer the doses in England and Wales.
In the United States, Pfizer sought emergency government approval on Friday for its vaccine, which the company said has shown 94.5% efficacy in clinical trials.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration said on Friday it would meet on Dec. 10 to discuss whether to allow the shooting, after a three-week review period.
Biotech company Moderna is also likely to seek approval soon for its vaccine, which the company says is around 95% effective.
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