Taking a Major Step in Fight Against COVID-19, US giant Pfizer Inc, along with its German partner BioNTech, has sought an emergency approval for their coronavirus vaccine which has shown 95 percent efficacy in protection against the deadly virus. Notably, this is the first major step which will help in the eradication of the virus which has hold the world hostage. 

The world is looking to scientists for salvation from the global pandemic. The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) said its vaccines committee would meet on December 10 to discuss the request for emergency use authorization.

"The FDA recognizes that transparency and dialogue are critical for the public to have confidence in COVID-19 vaccines," the organization's head Stephen Hahn said in a statement. He added, "I want to assure the American people that the FDA's process and evaluation of the data for a potential Covid-19 vaccine will be as open and transparent as possible."  He said he could not forecast how long the review would take, but the federal government said earlier the final green nod would probably come in December.

Pfizer chief executive Albert Bourla called the filing "a critical milestone in our journey to deliver a COVID-19 vaccine to the world." The BioNTech/Pfizer shot and another one being developed by the US firm Moderna have taken the lead in the global chase for a vaccine. EU Commission president Ursula von der Leyen said the European bloc could also approve both before the end of the year.

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