AstraZeneca vaccine imminent approval in the UK “It looks like it will fly right after Christmas”

In the UK, approval of AstraZeneca’s new coronavirus infection (Corona 19) vaccine has entered the countdown. British health officials are expected to decide whether to approve it as soon as possible immediately after Christmas. AstraZeneca vaccine is expected to be introduced in February-March next year after signing a purchase contract in Korea.

British Health Minister Matt Hancock said at a briefing on the 23rd (local time), “The University of Oxford in England and the pharmaceutical company AstraZeneca are waiting for approval by submitting the full data of their vaccines to the Drug and Health Care Products Regulatory Authority (MHRA).” It is a step toward the decision to release a vaccine.” He added that “the vaccine is already being manufactured in the UK and other places.”

Oxford University and AstraZeneca, who developed the vaccine, expects approval right after Christmas. John Bell, a professor at Oxford University’s medical school, who is also a UK government science adviser, told the BBC that day, “I don’t know if MHRA will be on Christmas Day, but I expect to make an approval decision right after that.” ) I don’t worry.”

The UK approved the Corona 19 vaccine developed by US pharmaceutical company Pfizer and German Bioentech on the 2nd, and started vaccination on priority subjects such as medical staff and the elderly from the 8th. It was the first vaccine approval and vaccination in the world.

India, which has previously entered the AstraZeneca vaccine approval process, is also speeding up the actual vaccination. Reuters reported on the 22nd, “If AstraZeneca submits additional data requested by the Indian authorities, it is highly likely that AstraZeneca’s vaccine use will be approved in an emergency next week.” If the approval goes well, the vaccination is expected to be made in January next year.

This product is the first vaccine purchased by Korea. The Korean government decided to pre-purchase 20 million times, equivalent to 10 million people, and introduce them in February and March next year.

Unlike Pfizer vaccine, which must be stored below -70 degrees Celsius, the AstraZeneca vaccine can be stored at a general refrigeration temperature, and the price is about 1/5 of the Pfizer vaccine and 4,500 won, which is 1/8 of that of the Modena vaccine.

Reporter Lee Geun-pyeong [email protected]