AP: European regulator to decide Dec. 29 on 1st virus vaccine
“The European Medicines Agency will convene a meeting on Dec. 29 to decide if there is enough data about the safety and efficacy of the COVID-19 vaccine developed by Pfizer and BioNTech for it to be approved, the regulator said Tuesday. The agency also said Tuesday it could decide as early as Jan. 12 whether to approve a rival COVID-19 vaccine developed by Moderna Inc…” (Jordans et al., 12/1).

Washington Post: Britain races to become the first Western country to approve a coronavirus vaccine
“Britain could become the first Western country to approve a coronavirus vaccine, with the highest hopes resting on Pfizer’s candidate and the homegrown offering from Oxford University and AstraZeneca. Those hopes persist, accompanied by much flag waving, despite questions about the Oxford vaccine’s trials and effectiveness…” (Booth/Adam, 11/30).

Washington Post: Two promising vaccines head to FDA review, setting scientific speed records
“The federal government could begin distributing two coronavirus vaccines in the next few weeks — a record-shattering feat that now hinges on the decisions of U.S. regulators. Biotechnology company Moderna filed Monday for emergency authorization of its coronavirus vaccine, capping a scientific sprint that began in January. Moderna’s two-dose regimen is about a week behind a similar vaccine developed by Pfizer and German biotechnology company BioNTech…” (Johnson, 11/30).

Additional coverage on coronavirus vaccine research, development, and approval process is available from CNBC, CNN, Financial Times (2), New Yorker, New York Times (2), NPR, POLITICO, Reuters, Roll Call, Science, Wall Street Journal, and Washington Post.