Covit-19 Coverage See More Stories A panel of outside experts advising the Food and Drug Administration met this morning and is now publicly considering whether to grant emergency use authorization to the Covit-19 vaccine developed by pharmaceutical company Pfizer and its partner. , German biotech company Bioendech. If the panel votes to approve it, and the FDA approves it, the federal government’s Operation Warp Speed says it will begin sending vaccine allocations to states and jurisdictions within hours. So far, the Pfizer / Bioentech vaccine has already been approved in the UK — after a significant 10 days of testing. The country launched a major vaccination campaign this week. On Wednesday, Canadian health officials announced that they too had approved the vaccine. The FDA has repeatedly defended its thorough, slow review process for the vaccine, especially during the political pressure of the Trump administration. The agency’s review began on November 20, when Pfizer and Bioentech filed an application for emergency application approval for its vaccine, PNT166B2. The companies filed a petition with the EUA after the results of a third phase clinical trial found that the vaccine was 95 percent effective in preventing symptomatic COVID-19. Advertising On Tuesday, the FDA released a statement reviewing detailed data on PNT162B2. The company found that it was “very effective” in preventing symptomatic COVID-19, and noted that “performance findings are consistent across different subgroups, including ethnic and racial minorities, participants aged 65 and over, and those with one or more.” The following conditions: Obesity, diabetes, high blood pressure and chronic heart disease. “In addition, data on the vaccine so far” suggest a favorable safety profile, with no specific safety concerns identified, which could prevent the EU from delivering, “the company said. The Vaccines and Related Biological Products Advisory Committee (VRPPAC) meeting today is expected to recommend an EU grant. Today, they refer to clinical trial data, issues related to the issuance of an EUA (which differs from full FDA approval), and safety and performance monitoring. They will address two specific discussion questions: Pfizer has proposed a plan to pursue blind, placebo-controlled follow-up in current trials if the vaccine becomes available under the EUA. Discuss Pfizer’s plan, including how to deal with blind, placebo-controlled follow-up in current trials. Discuss any gaps in the programs described today and in the explanatory documentation for further evaluation of vaccine safety and efficacy in the population receiving Pfizer-Bioentech vaccine under the EUA. According to the draft agenda, the committee plans to vote in the EU from 3pm to 5pm today.