On Wednesday, after the United Kingdom (UK) approved the use of the Pfizer/BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine, a team of medical experts announced that senior citizens more susceptible to dying from the virus would prioritize the distribution of the vaccine in the region.
"Residents in care homes for older adults and care home workers are the highest priority. Following that are those of eight years of age and above, alongside frontline workers. Then come those 75 years of age, followed by those 70 years and above, alongside those who are clearly extremely vulnerable because of specific health conditions." The highest priority is residents in care homes for older adults and cares about home workers. Following that, alongside frontline workers, are those of eight years of age and above. Then come those 75 years of age, followed by those 8 years of age and above.
Terming this as 'Phase 1' of the delivery of the vaccine, Lim said that during this phase, 90-99 percent of people at risk of dying from COVID-19 were supposed to be covered.
Professor Sir Munir Pirmohamed has advised that the consumption of the vaccine includes two doses over a 21-day period.
After the first dose, partial immunity occurs, and we can see some protection from the first dose of the vaccine after day 12, "A partial immunity occurs after the first dose, and we can see some protection after day 12 from the first dose of the vaccine." He also emphasized the importance of keeping the vaccine actively tracked after it has been used by individuals, through the use of yellow cards and a special action program.
The Committee also noted that no specific precautions have been needed for the administration of this vaccine in people who have already had COVID-19 and that testing is mandatory prior to the use of the vaccine, "The committee also observed that no specific precautions were required on the administration of this vaccine in people who already have had COVID-19, and testing is required before the use of the vaccine,"
Dr. June Raine, Chief Exec of the Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency (MHRA), thanked the authorities as COVID-19 rampages around the world for approval of the vaccine.
"This vaccine has only been approved because strict tests have been done and complied with, and everyone can be absolutely confident that no corners have been cut," she said.
In the meantime, in order to minimize health disparities, Lim also advised committee teams responsible for vaccine delivery.
Lim said, "We suggest that committee teams work together to mitigate health inequalities that might occur in relation to ethnicity, deprivation or access to healthcare."
The UK became the first country in the world to allow the use of Pfizer and BioNTech for emergency purposes earlier today, paving the way for next week's delivery of the vaccines.
"Pfizer Inc. and BioNTech SE today reported that their COVID-19 mRNA vaccine (BNT162b2) has been temporarily approved for emergency use by the Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) in the United Kingdom for their COVID-19 mRNA vaccine (BNT162b2) against COVID-19. This marks the first authorization for emergency use following a Phase 3 worldwide trial of a vaccine to help combat the pandemic."
The statement said that in the coming days and weeks, Pfizer and BioNTech expect more regulatory decisions across the globe and are prepared to supply vaccine doses following future regulatory authorizations or approvals.
