As the new strains of <a href="https://www.wionews.com/topics/coronavirus">coronavirus</a> are taking over the world, the Indian government has assured masses that there is no evidence yet that the existing <a href="https://www.wionews.com/topics/coronavirus-vaccine">vaccines </a>will not be useful gainst the new varints. In the west, Argentina has launched COVID-19 vaccinations by rolling out Russia's Sputnik V. While the world is battling coronavirus, China is busy batting off various accusations as the Asian country has been accused of underreporting infections in Wuhan.

Click on headlines to read more

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/china-ratifies-extradition-treaty-pressure-on-turkey-to-protect-uighurs-353170" hreflang="en">Uighur row: China announces ratification of extradition treaty with Turkey</a>

<img src="https://cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/styles/story_page/public/2020/07/03/147950-uyghur-reuters.jpg?itok=xnik66d8" />

Turkey has linguistic and cultural ties with the Uighurs and Ankara has for quite some time been one of the primary safeguards of their motivation on the worldwide stage, however lately Turkey's public demonstration of help has faded.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/wuhans-infections-may-have-been-almost-10-times-higher-than-official-figure-study-353197">Wuhan's infections may have been 10 times higher than official figure: Study</a>

<img src="https://cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/styles/story_page/public/2020/01/27/126151-untitled-design-13.jpg?itok=8SQoHHY8" />

As of Sunday, Wuhan had detailed an aggregate of 50,354 affirmed instances of Covid-19, as per the Wuhan Municipal Health Commission.&nbsp;

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/no-evidence-current-vaccines-will-fail-against-virus-variants-indian-government-353176">No evidence current vaccines will fail against virus variants: Indian govt</a>

<img src="https://cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/styles/story_page/public/2020/12/29/176274-vaccine11.jpg?itok=1qDmU8ST" />

Health secretary&nbsp;Rajesh Bhushan informed that the daily new coronavirus cases had dropped to less than 17,000 after six months with daily deaths going down to less than 300 after six months.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/will-continue-to-develop-military-ties-with-turkey-despite-illegitimate-pressure-from-us-russia-353160">Will continue to develop military ties with Turkey despite US pressure: Russia</a>

<img src="https://cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/styles/story_page/public/2019/11/11/116336-untitled-design-1.jpg?itok=_9i5Dm7_" />

The United States banned all US export licenses and loan credits for Turkey's military procurement agency and disallowed its president to travel or hold assets in the United States under the 2017 CAATSA law.

E<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/earthquake-hits-croatia-slovenia-shuts-nuclear-plant-353193">arthquake hits Croatia; Slovenia shuts nuclear plant</a>

<img src="https://cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/styles/story_page/public/2020/12/29/176281-crow11.jpg?itok=gAAkhJta" />

The earthquake led Slovenia to shut down its Krsko nuclear power plant as a "precaution".&nbsp;he quake was followed by an aftershock registering 4.9 magnitude, the European Mediterranean Seismological Centre(EMSC) said.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/in-message-to-us-xi-jinping-says-china-russia-ties-will-not-be-broken-353156" hreflang="en">In message to US, Xi Jinping says China-Russia ties will not be broken</a>

<img src="https://cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/styles/story_page/public/2020/06/24/146463-xi-putin-reuters.jpg?itok=WCdf9hUO" />

Jinping's remarks come as China pushes to consolidate its ties with other nations ahead of the inauguration of Joe Biden on January 20.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/eu-urges-china-to-release-of-12-hong-kong-pro-democracy-activists-353198" hreflang="en">EU urges China to release of 12 Hong Kong pro-democracy activists</a>

<img src="https://cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/styles/story_page/public/2020/10/01/162672-untitled-design-38.jpg?itok=kG4QADWZ" />

As the trial began in China, the United States urged China to release the detainees and called out China's "tyranny". Now, after a day of the trial, the European Union has followed the suit and is demanding the immediate release of the 12 activists.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/japan-reports-first-case-of-new-coronavirus-strain-that-emerged-in-south-africa-353072" hreflang="en">Japan reports first case of new coronavirus strain that emerged in South Africa</a>

<img src="https://cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/styles/story_page/public/2020/12/26/175963-japs1.jpg?itok=857hygpd" />

A woman who arrived from South Africa in Japan on December 19 and tested positive for COVID-19 turned out to be infected with the new 501.V2 strain.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/several-nazi-memorabilia-found-in-spanish-warehouse-of-arms-traffickers-353188">Several Nazi memorabilia found in Spanish warehouse of arms traffickers</a>

<img src="https://cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/styles/story_page/public/2020/12/29/176278-spain-police.jpg?itok=WCFCLWEg" />

While making the raid, the police also found several Nazi artefacts such as portraits of the infamous Adolf Hitler, German military uniforms and several medals too.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/argentina-starts-coronavirus-vaccine-with-russias-sputnik-v-353174" hreflang="en">Argentina starts coronavirus vaccine with Russia's Sputnik V</a>

<img src="https://cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/styles/story_page/public/2020/12/18/174659-russias-sputnik-v-covid-vaccine.jpg?itok=t5o98Zbr" />

The vaccination drive began simultaneously around the country with frontline healthcare workers given priority.

As the new strains of coronavirus are taking over the world, the Indian government has assured masses that there is no evidence yet that the existing vaccines will not be useful gainst the new varints.

As the new strains of coronavirus are taking over the world, the Indian government has assured masses that there is no evidence yet that the existing vaccines will not be useful gainst the new varints. In the west, Argentina has launched COVID-19 vaccinations by rolling out Russia's Sputnik V. While the world is battling coronavirus, China is busy batting off various accusations as the Asian country has been accused of underreporting infections in Wuhan. Click on headlines to read more Uighur row: China announces ratification of extradition treaty with Turkey Turkey has linguistic and cultural ties with the Uighurs and Ankara has for quite some time been one of the primary safeguards of their motivation on the worldwide stage, however lately Turkey's public demonstration of help has faded. Wuhan's infections may have been 10 times higher than official figure: Study As of Sunday, Wuhan had detailed an aggregate of 50,354 affirmed instances of Covid-19, as per the Wuhan Municipal Health Commission. No evidence current vaccines will fail against virus variants: Indian govt Health secretary Rajesh Bhushan informed that the daily new coronavirus cases had dropped to less than 17,000 after six months with daily deaths going down to less than 300 after six months. Will continue to develop military ties with Turkey despite US pressure: Russia The United States banned all US export licenses and loan credits for Turkey's military procurement agency and disallowed its president to travel or hold assets in the United States under the 2017 CAATSA law. Earthquake hits Croatia; Slovenia shuts nuclear plant The earthquake led Slovenia to shut down its Krsko nuclear power plant as a "precaution". he quake was followed by an aftershock registering 4.9 magnitude, the European Mediterranean Seismological Centre(EMSC) said. In message to US, Xi Jinping says China-Russia ties will not be broken Jinping's remarks come as China pushes to consolidate its ties with other nations ahead of the inauguration of Joe Biden on January 20. EU urges China to release of 12 Hong Kong pro-democracy activists As the trial began in China, the United States urged China to release the detainees and called out China's "tyranny". Now, after a day of the trial, the European Union has followed the suit and is demanding the immediate release of the 12 activists. Japan reports first case of new coronavirus strain that emerged in South Africa A woman who arrived from South Africa in Japan on December 19 and tested positive for COVID-19 turned out to be infected with the new 501.V2 strain. Several Nazi memorabilia found in Spanish warehouse of arms traffickers While making the raid, the police also found several Nazi artefacts such as portraits of the infamous Adolf Hitler, German military uniforms and several medals too. Argentina starts coronavirus vaccine with Russia's Sputnik V The vaccination drive began simultaneously around the country with frontline healthcare workers given priority.

Top 10 world news today: Wuhan's real COVID-19 infections, Sputnik V update, and more

A day after the EU started mass vaccination drive, Spain and seven countries have claimed to not have received the full stock of the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/topics/coronavirus-vaccine">Pfizer vaccine</a>. Meanwhile, the CEO of AstraZeneca has claimed the Indian government will be approving the Oxford vaccine in the next few days. On the other hand,&nbsp;Philippines' President's security team received jabs of the Chinese coronavirus vaccine without approval from the authorities.

Click on headlines to read more

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/donald-trump-signs-laws-to-further-uss-support-to-taiwan-tibet-drawing-chinas-criticism-352951" hreflang="en">Trump signs law to bolster support to Taiwan, Tibet; drawing China's criticism</a>

<img src="https://cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/styles/story_page/public/2020/12/28/176159-untitled-design-1.jpg?itok=BRFgHP3f" />

The act also authorises the Tibetan community to select exiled spiritual leader Dalai Lama's successor and has provisions to sanction Chinese officials who interfere with the selection process.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/china-rejects-reports-of-seeking-guarantees-from-pakistan-for-approving-6-billion-loan-352973">China rejects reports of seeking guarantees from Pak for approving $6 bn loan</a>

<img src="https://cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/styles/story_page/public/2018/09/12/37762-539330-chinapak-20180106061152.jpg?itok=F9dcSu5X" />

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Zhao Lijian said despite the global economic recession, 'China's input in the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) including the CPEC' has increased.&nbsp;

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/india-to-approve-astrazeneca-oxford-vaccine-soon-adar-poonawalla-352976">India to approve AstraZeneca-Oxford vaccine soon: Adar Poonawalla</a>

<img src="https://cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/styles/story_page/public/2020/12/07/172902-untitled-design-4.jpg?itok=KYhxrUNT" />

Poonawalla has also reported that since India is a part of 'COVAX', at least 50 per cent of all the produce will be given to India.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/tesla-to-start-operation-in-india-in-early-2021-confirms-nitin-gadkari-352912">Tesla to start operation in India in early 2021, confirms Nitin Gadkari</a>

<img src="https://cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/styles/story_page/public/2019/04/23/91036-untitled-design-2.jpg?itok=siFeIbXo" />

Nitin&nbsp;Gadkari said that Elon Musk-led Tesla will initially begin with sales and perhaps venture towards assembly, sales, and manufacturing.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/pfizer-vaccine-delivery-delayed-in-spain-and-other-eu-countries-352931">Pfizer vaccine delivery delayed in Spain and other EU countries</a>

<img src="https://cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/styles/story_page/public/2020/12/23/175391-pfizer-biontech-vaccine.jpg?itok=k-U1rbIh" />

The delay in the fresh batch of vaccines has occurred due to a "problem in the loading and shipment process" at the Pfizer plant in Belgium.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/philippines-rodrigo-dutertes-security-team-gets-covid-19-vaccine-without-approval-352957" hreflang="en">Philippines' Rodrigo Duterte's security team gets COVID-19 vaccine without approval</a>

<img src="https://cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/styles/story_page/public/2020/12/28/176161-rodrigo-duterte.jpg?itok=oX5pO51y" />

Philippines is hoping to secure nearly 60 million doses for the coronavirus vaccine, with the aim to start a mass vaccination drive in the second quarter of 2021.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/saudi-womens-rights-activist-loujain-al-hathloul-jailed-for-five-years-352947" hreflang="en">Saudi women's rights activist Loujain al-Hathloul jailed for five years</a>

<img src="https://cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/styles/story_page/public/2020/12/28/176149-loujain-al-hathloul.jpg?itok=LmGXS9HS" />

Loujain al-Hathloul was detained by the local authorities in May 2018 with several other women activists while she was campaigning for women's rights.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/17-fishermen-feared-dead-after-boat-sinks-in-arctic-russia-352908" hreflang="en">17 fishermen feared dead after boat sinks in Arctic Russia</a>

<img src="https://cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/styles/story_page/public/2019/07/16/102839-bangladesh.jpg?itok=UOxEd2xs" />

Seventeen fishermen were missing and feared dead on Monday after a Russian boat capsized during a storm and sank in the freezing waters of the Barents Sea.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/rare-white-kiwi-manukura-dies-following-surgery-in-new-zealand-352902" hreflang="en">Rare white kiwi, Manukura, dies following surgery in New Zealand</a>

<img src="https://cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/styles/story_page/public/2020/12/28/176133-manukura.JPG?itok=heT3jYPY" />

Manukura was an ambassador for Pūkaha, conservation and tourism in Wairarapa. Her popularity with the public spawned a Facebook page, soft toys, children’s books and other memorabilia.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/bangladesh-to-ship-new-group-of-rohingya-refugees-to-remote-island-352958" hreflang="en">Bangladesh to ship new group of Rohingya refugees to remote island</a>

<img src="https://cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/styles/story_page/public/2020/12/04/172471-bangladesh-ships-rohingya-refugees.jpg?itok=rUr8t4FJ" />

More than 1,100 Rohingya refugees, members of a Muslim minority who have fled Myanmar, will be moved from a refugee camp near the Myanmar border to Bhasan Char island.

A day after the EU started mass vaccination drive, Spain and seven countries have claimed to not have received the full stock of the Pfizer vaccine. Meanwhile, the CEO of AstraZeneca has claimed the Indian government will be approving the Oxford vaccine in the next few days.

A day after the EU started mass vaccination drive, Spain and seven countries have claimed to not have received the full stock of the Pfizer vaccine. Meanwhile, the CEO of AstraZeneca has claimed the Indian government will be approving the Oxford vaccine in the next few days. On the other hand, Philippines' President's security team received jabs of the Chinese coronavirus vaccine without approval from the authorities. Click on headlines to read more Trump signs law to bolster support to Taiwan, Tibet; drawing China's criticism The act also authorises the Tibetan community to select exiled spiritual leader Dalai Lama's successor and has provisions to sanction Chinese officials who interfere with the selection process. China rejects reports of seeking guarantees from Pak for approving $6 bn loan Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Zhao Lijian said despite the global economic recession, 'China's input in the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) including the CPEC' has increased. India to approve AstraZeneca-Oxford vaccine soon: Adar Poonawalla Poonawalla has also reported that since India is a part of 'COVAX', at least 50 per cent of all the produce will be given to India. Tesla to start operation in India in early 2021, confirms Nitin Gadkari Nitin Gadkari said that Elon Musk-led Tesla will initially begin with sales and perhaps venture towards assembly, sales, and manufacturing. Pfizer vaccine delivery delayed in Spain and other EU countries The delay in the fresh batch of vaccines has occurred due to a "problem in the loading and shipment process" at the Pfizer plant in Belgium. Philippines' Rodrigo Duterte's security team gets COVID-19 vaccine without approval Philippines is hoping to secure nearly 60 million doses for the coronavirus vaccine, with the aim to start a mass vaccination drive in the second quarter of 2021. Saudi women's rights activist Loujain al-Hathloul jailed for five years Loujain al-Hathloul was detained by the local authorities in May 2018 with several other women activists while she was campaigning for women's rights. 17 fishermen feared dead after boat sinks in Arctic Russia Seventeen fishermen were missing and feared dead on Monday after a Russian boat capsized during a storm and sank in the freezing waters of the Barents Sea. Rare white kiwi, Manukura, dies following surgery in New Zealand Manukura was an ambassador for Pūkaha, conservation and tourism in Wairarapa. Her popularity with the public spawned a Facebook page, soft toys, children’s books and other memorabilia. Bangladesh to ship new group of Rohingya refugees to remote island More than 1,100 Rohingya refugees, members of a Muslim minority who have fled Myanmar, will be moved from a refugee camp near the Myanmar border to Bhasan Char island.

Top 10 world news today: Trump's support to Taiwan, vaccine update in India, and more

A day after the European Union countries started vaccinating locals for the&nbsp;novel coronavirus, Spain officials have reported that the country has not yet got their full share of doses of the Pfizer vaccine yet.

Pfizer has postponed the delivery of new batches of COVID-19 vaccines to eight European Union countries, including Spain, the&nbsp;Spanish health ministry&nbsp;reported on Monday. The statement has come a few days after the EU chief&nbsp;Ursula von der Leyen announced all EU nations have received their share of vaccines.

Also read|&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/beijing-in-emergency-mode-after-five-new-coronavirus-cases-found-in-chinese-capital-352858" hreflang="en">Beijing in emergency mode after five new cases found in Chinese capital</a>

The delay in the fresh batch of vaccines has occurred due to a "problem in the loading and shipment process" at the Pfizer plant in Belgium, the health ministry reported on Monday. Spain was informed about the delay on Sunday night.

While Spain has issued a statement, the names of the other seven EU countries who have felt the brunt of this delay have not ben named yet.

Also read|&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/history-tells-us-this-wont-be-last-pandemic-says-who-chief-on-coronavirus-352865" hreflang="en">History tells us this won't be last pandemic, says WHO chief on coronavirus</a>

Pfizer has reported that thee issue "was already resolved "but added that the next delivery of coronavirus vaccines "will be a few hours late". The vaccine is now expected to reach Spain on Tuesday — which is a day after the original arrival date.

Health Minister Salvador Illa said the problem was apparently "linked to the control of the temperature" of the shipments which is now "apparently fixed". These vaccines need to be stored at&nbsp;ultra-low temperatures of about -70 degrees Celsius (-112 Fahrenheit) before being shipped in cool boxes which are custom designed and filled with dry ice.&nbsp;Once out of ultra-low temperature storage, the vaccine must be kept at 2 Celsius to 8 Celsius to remain effective for up to five days.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/india-begins-2-day-dry-run-vaccination-process-across-four-states-352900">WATCH|</a>

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"Due to a minor logistical issue, we have rescheduled a limited number of our deliveries," Andrew Widger, Pfizer's director for media relations said. "The logistical matter has been resolved and those deliveries are now being dispatched. There are no manufacturing issues to report."

The European country, Spain, has to receive 350,000 doses of vaccines per week for the next three months, which is expected to arrive by Tuesday now for this week.

A day after the European Union countries started vaccinating locals for the novel coronavirus, Spain officials have reported that the country has not yet got their full share of doses of the Pfizer vaccine yet.

A day after the European Union countries started vaccinating locals for the novel coronavirus, Spain officials have reported that the country has not yet got their full share of doses of the Pfizer vaccine yet. Pfizer has postponed the delivery of new batches of COVID-19 vaccines to eight European Union countries, including Spain, the Spanish health ministry reported on Monday. The statement has come a few days after the EU chief Ursula von der Leyen announced all EU nations have received their share of vaccines. Also read| Beijing in emergency mode after five new cases found in Chinese capital The delay in the fresh batch of vaccines has occurred due to a "problem in the loading and shipment process" at the Pfizer plant in Belgium, the health ministry reported on Monday. Spain was informed about the delay on Sunday night. While Spain has issued a statement, the names of the other seven EU countries who have felt the brunt of this delay have not ben named yet. Also read| History tells us this won't be last pandemic, says WHO chief on coronavirus Pfizer has reported that thee issue "was already resolved "but added that the next delivery of coronavirus vaccines "will be a few hours late". The vaccine is now expected to reach Spain on Tuesday — which is a day after the original arrival date. Health Minister Salvador Illa said the problem was apparently "linked to the control of the temperature" of the shipments which is now "apparently fixed". These vaccines need to be stored at ultra-low temperatures of about -70 degrees Celsius (-112 Fahrenheit) before being shipped in cool boxes which are custom designed and filled with dry ice. Once out of ultra-low temperature storage, the vaccine must be kept at 2 Celsius to 8 Celsius to remain effective for up to five days. WATCH| × "Due to a minor logistical issue, we have rescheduled a limited number of our deliveries," Andrew Widger, Pfizer's director for media relations said. "The logistical matter has been resolved and those deliveries are now being dispatched. There are no manufacturing issues to report." The European country, Spain, has to receive 350,000 doses of vaccines per week for the next three months, which is expected to arrive by Tuesday now for this week.

Pfizer vaccine delivery delayed in Spain and other EU countries

As the European Union countries started <a href="https://www.wionews.com/topics/coronavirus-vaccine">vaccination</a> drive against<a href="https://www.wionews.com/topics/coronavirus"> coronavirus</a>, Israel went into a third nationwide lockdown hoping to score a 'world record' of vaccinated people. Meanwhile, the&nbsp;AstraZeneca chief has claimed the Oxford vaccine will work against the new strain of coronavirus too. While the world is battling coronavirus,&nbsp;Margaret Thatcher's conversation with her Irish counterpart have been revealed in 30-years-old archives.

Click on headlines to read more

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/astrazeneca-chief-claims-vaccine-works-against-new-strain-of-coronavirus-352737">AstraZeneca chief claims vaccine works against new strain of coronavirus</a>

<img src="https://cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/styles/story_page/public/2020/10/26/166716-untitled-design-1.jpg?itok=TOoTexS1" />

WhileAstraZeneca chief is almost sure about this, he said more tests need to be performed to be sure about this claim.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/margaret-thatcher-said-no-to-euro-as-one-currency-irish-archives-reveal-352762" hreflang="en">Margaret Thatcher said no to Euro as 'one currency', Irish archives reveal</a>

<img src="https://cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/styles/story_page/public/2020/12/27/176033-margaret-thatcher.jpg?itok=WvdW8st2" />

Britain's 'Iron lady' Margaret Thatcher believed the European Commission's plan for a single currency in the European Union was a "rush of blood to the head".

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/lebanon-syrian-refugee-camp-set-on-fire-after-fight-between-refugees-and-locals-352758">Lebanon: Syrian refugee camp set on fire after fight between refugees and locals</a>

<img src="https://cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/styles/story_page/public/2020/12/27/176030-lebanon-syria-refugee-camp-burnt.jpg?itok=GiaAHt_q" />

Syrian refugee camp in northern Lebanon was set on fire on Saturday night after a fight between members of the camp and a local Lebanese family, said state media.&nbsp;

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/turkey-will-retaliate-against-any-attack-by-murderer-libya-strongman-defence-minister-352744">Turkey will retaliate against any attack by Libya strongman: Defence Minister</a>

<img src="https://cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/styles/story_page/public/2020/12/27/176024-khalifa-haftar-and-hulusi-akar.jpg?itok=qeBmbmFl" />

Turkey's defence minister's statement has come a few days after Haftar boasted about his plans and said his forces will 'prepare to drive out the occupier by faith, will and weapons'.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/china-steps-in-to-stop-war-within-nepal-communist-party-352734">China steps in to stop war within Nepal Communist Party</a>

<img src="https://cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/styles/story_page/public/2020/12/27/176017-nepal-china-oli-prachanda.jpg?itok=AhZWUmDY" />

Factions within Nepal Communist Party led by current Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli and party heavyweight Pushpa Kamal Dahal 'Prachanda' are battling with each other.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/turkish-parliament-passes-law-that-critics-say-will-stifle-ngos-352752" hreflang="en">Turkish parliament passes law that critics say will stifle NGOs</a>

<img src="https://cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/styles/story_page/public/2020/09/05/158267-erdogan.jpg?itok=H8mYtWxu" />

The law is being criticised for the possibility that it will be used against opponent organisations. Earlier this week, &nbsp;seven civil society organisations, including Human Rights Association and Amnesty said that terrorism charges in Turkey were arbitrary.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/israel-enters-third-nationwide-lockdown-pm-hopes-for-world-record-of-vaccinated-people-352754" hreflang="en">Israel enters third nationwide lockdown; PM hopes for 'world record' of vaccinated people</a>

<img src="https://cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/styles/story_page/public/2020/05/31/142559-untitled-design-12.jpg?itok=UnpUiNi2" />

Starting from 5 pm on Sunday, people will not be allowed to step out of their houses unless they are seeking medical care, attending legal proceedings, going to school or exercising.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/afghan-peace-talks-to-take-place-in-doha-next-month-352763" hreflang="en">Afghan peace talks to take place in Doha next month</a>

<img src="https://cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/styles/story_page/public/2020/09/13/159618-taliban-afghan-peace-talks.jpg?itok=c11sXRgz" />

Negotiators from both sides decided to take a break in early December after months of discussions that were bogged down by disputes on the basic framework of discussions and religious interpretations

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/incoming-swiss-president-calls-post-brexit-deal-good-news-for-whole-world-352773">Incoming Swiss president calls post-Brexit deal 'good news for whole world</a>

<img src="https://cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/styles/story_page/public/2020/12/27/176047-guy-parmelin-switzerland.jpg?itok=lvA5wDH3" />

&nbsp;

Incoming Swiss president Guy Parmelin said on Sunday that post-Brexit trade deal struck between UK and the European Union (EU) was "good news" for the entire world.&nbsp;

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/icc-announces-team-of-the-decade-virat-kohli-features-in-all-formats-352731" hreflang="en">ICC announces 'Team of the Decade', Virat Kohli features in all formats</a>

<img src="https://cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/styles/story_page/public/2020/11/25/171077-icc-1.JPG?itok=67mKWVPI" />

Indian skipper Virat Kohli was the only player to feature in all three formats of 'Team of the Decade'.&nbsp;

As the European Union countries started vaccination drive against coronavirus, Israel went into a third nationwide lockdown hoping to score a 'world record' of vaccinated people.

As the European Union countries started vaccination drive against coronavirus, Israel went into a third nationwide lockdown hoping to score a 'world record' of vaccinated people. Meanwhile, the AstraZeneca chief has claimed the Oxford vaccine will work against the new strain of coronavirus too. While the world is battling coronavirus, Margaret Thatcher's conversation with her Irish counterpart have been revealed in 30-years-old archives. Click on headlines to read more AstraZeneca chief claims vaccine works against new strain of coronavirus WhileAstraZeneca chief is almost sure about this, he said more tests need to be performed to be sure about this claim. Margaret Thatcher said no to Euro as 'one currency', Irish archives reveal Britain's 'Iron lady' Margaret Thatcher believed the European Commission's plan for a single currency in the European Union was a "rush of blood to the head". Lebanon: Syrian refugee camp set on fire after fight between refugees and locals Syrian refugee camp in northern Lebanon was set on fire on Saturday night after a fight between members of the camp and a local Lebanese family, said state media. Turkey will retaliate against any attack by Libya strongman: Defence Minister Turkey's defence minister's statement has come a few days after Haftar boasted about his plans and said his forces will 'prepare to drive out the occupier by faith, will and weapons'. China steps in to stop war within Nepal Communist Party Factions within Nepal Communist Party led by current Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli and party heavyweight Pushpa Kamal Dahal 'Prachanda' are battling with each other. Turkish parliament passes law that critics say will stifle NGOs The law is being criticised for the possibility that it will be used against opponent organisations. Earlier this week, seven civil society organisations, including Human Rights Association and Amnesty said that terrorism charges in Turkey were arbitrary. Israel enters third nationwide lockdown; PM hopes for 'world record' of vaccinated people Starting from 5 pm on Sunday, people will not be allowed to step out of their houses unless they are seeking medical care, attending legal proceedings, going to school or exercising. Afghan peace talks to take place in Doha next month Negotiators from both sides decided to take a break in early December after months of discussions that were bogged down by disputes on the basic framework of discussions and religious interpretations Incoming Swiss president calls post-Brexit deal 'good news for whole world Incoming Swiss president Guy Parmelin said on Sunday that post-Brexit trade deal struck between UK and the European Union (EU) was "good news" for the entire world. ICC announces 'Team of the Decade', Virat Kohli features in all formats Indian skipper Virat Kohli was the only player to feature in all three formats of 'Team of the Decade'.

Top 10 world news today: AstraZeneca against new variant, Brexit reactions, and more

The Pfizer- Vaccine has started to arrive in Europe there is still reeling from the latest surge in the number of COVID-19 infections. Now all 27 European union nations are expected to begin mass immunization plan. Through a special message EU chief Ursula von der Leyen announced all EU nations that receive the very first dozes of COVID-19 vaccine. France Received First Shipment Of Nearly 19,500 Pfizer Vaccine

All European union nations to start vaccination process together

As the world is preparing to battle the new variants of the novel <a href="https://www.wionews.com/topics/coronavirus">coronavirus</a>, the European Union countries will start <a href="https://www.wionews.com/topics/coronavirus-vaccine">vaccination</a> drive from Sunday. Meanwhile, the Saudi&nbsp;Crown Prince joined the list of leaders who publically received a shot of the vaccine.

Click on headlines to read more

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/eu-chief-says-vaccine-delivered-to-all-eu-countries-vaccination-drive-to-start-tomorrow-352587" hreflang="en">EU Chief says vaccine delivered to all EU countries; vaccination drive to start tomorrow</a>

<img src="https://cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/styles/story_page/public/2020/12/26/175937-ursula-von-der-leyen.jpg?itok=MRA2VbkX" />

Calling it a 'European success story', the European Union leader Ursula von der Leyen reported that the EU has enough doses for everyone.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/spain-confirms-new-virus-strain-as-vaccines-begin-arriving-in-european-nations-352576" hreflang="en">Spain confirms new virus strain as vaccines begin arriving in European nations</a>

<img src="https://cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/styles/story_page/public/2020/12/26/175924-virusv.jpg?itok=z0Kb3GMc" />

Paris received its first tranche of the vaccine as it was delivered to the hospital with jabs set to be administered to an elderly home on Sunday.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/finland-receives-more-than-5000-applications-for-90-day-finn-relocation-programme-352577" hreflang="en">Finland receives more than 5,000 applications for '90 day Finn' relocation programme</a>

<img src="https://cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/styles/story_page/public/2020/09/23/161344-9.jpg?itok=woSWAo4f" />

Finland has climbed the ranks as it has been announced as the world's happiest country for the third time this year.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/monolith-christmas-edition-because-this-one-is-made-of-gingerbread-352528" hreflang="en">Monolith Christmas edition? Because this one is made of Gingerbread</a>

<img src="https://cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/styles/story_page/public/2020/12/26/175895-gingerbread-monolith.jpg?itok=FLQ0CSwU" />

The monolith is seven-feet tall. The appearance of this monolith has certainly become talk of the town and people are flocking there to take pictures and videos.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/jordan-journalist-arrested-for-claiming-officials-received-jabs-of-coronavirus-vaccine-352598" hreflang="en">Jordan: Journalist arrested for claiming officials received jabs of coronavirus vaccine</a>

<img src="https://cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/styles/story_page/public/2020/12/26/175948-jordan.jpg?itok=z9dMei9Y" />

A journalist in Jordan has been arrested after he reported the kingdom has received coronavirus vaccine and the local officials had already received shots of the vaccine.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/athens-first-official-mosque-allowed-to-reopen-for-holiday-season-352582" hreflang="en">Athens' first official mosque allowed to reopen for holiday season</a>

<img src="https://cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/styles/story_page/public/2020/11/07/168800-athens-first-mosque.jpg?itok=LBXwt58C" />

As the holiday season came closer, the government decided to let the faithful return to their religious place, but with a cap on maximum attendees allowed.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/turkmenistan-president-claims-licorice-can-cure-coronavirus-352543" hreflang="en">Turkmenistan president claims Licorice can cure coronavirus</a>

<img src="https://cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/styles/story_page/public/2020/12/26/175899-turkmenistan-president-gurbanguly-berdymukhamedov.jpg?itok=XjpkxaP4" />

The leader has a long history of moves aimed at boosting his country's fauna and flora.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/russia-claims-it-intercepted-is-attack-plot-352541" hreflang="en">Russia claims it intercepted IS attack plot</a>

<img src="https://cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/styles/story_page/public/2020/12/26/175898-isis-attack.jpg?itok=oCQ3fV_3" />

Russia's territories in the Caucasus were ravaged by two wars between federal troops and Chechen separatists in the 1990s and 2000s.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/russia-approves-sputnik-v-covid-19-vaccine-for-people-over-60-352530" hreflang="en">Russia approves Sputnik V COVID-19 vaccine for people over 60</a>

<img src="https://cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/styles/story_page/public/2020/12/26/175896-covid-vaccineee.jpg?itok=Ka6PnjiE" />

Russia had approved its vaccine after it was tested on only a few dozen people -- between 18 and 60, touting it as “the first in the world" to receive a go-ahead.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/saudi-crown-prince-mohammed-bin-salman-gets-coronavirus-vaccine-352517" hreflang="en">Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman gets coronavirus vaccine</a>

<img src="https://cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/styles/story_page/public/2020/12/26/175890-saudi-crown-prince-vaccine.jpg?itok=QOQcCXPR" />

The Saudi crown prince is among the few world leaders to have received the vaccine.

As the world is preparing to battle the new variants of the novel coronavirus, the European Union countries will start vaccination drive from Sunday. Meanwhile, the Saudi Crown Prince joined the list of leaders who publically received a shot of the vaccine.

As the world is preparing to battle the new variants of the novel coronavirus, the European Union countries will start vaccination drive from Sunday. Meanwhile, the Saudi Crown Prince joined the list of leaders who publically received a shot of the vaccine. Click on headlines to read more EU Chief says vaccine delivered to all EU countries; vaccination drive to start tomorrow Calling it a 'European success story', the European Union leader Ursula von der Leyen reported that the EU has enough doses for everyone. Spain confirms new virus strain as vaccines begin arriving in European nations Paris received its first tranche of the vaccine as it was delivered to the hospital with jabs set to be administered to an elderly home on Sunday. Finland receives more than 5,000 applications for '90 day Finn' relocation programme Finland has climbed the ranks as it has been announced as the world's happiest country for the third time this year. Monolith Christmas edition? Because this one is made of Gingerbread The monolith is seven-feet tall. The appearance of this monolith has certainly become talk of the town and people are flocking there to take pictures and videos. Jordan: Journalist arrested for claiming officials received jabs of coronavirus vaccine A journalist in Jordan has been arrested after he reported the kingdom has received coronavirus vaccine and the local officials had already received shots of the vaccine. Athens' first official mosque allowed to reopen for holiday season As the holiday season came closer, the government decided to let the faithful return to their religious place, but with a cap on maximum attendees allowed. Turkmenistan president claims Licorice can cure coronavirus The leader has a long history of moves aimed at boosting his country's fauna and flora. Russia claims it intercepted IS attack plot Russia's territories in the Caucasus were ravaged by two wars between federal troops and Chechen separatists in the 1990s and 2000s. Russia approves Sputnik V COVID-19 vaccine for people over 60 Russia had approved its vaccine after it was tested on only a few dozen people -- between 18 and 60, touting it as “the first in the world" to receive a go-ahead. Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman gets coronavirus vaccine The Saudi crown prince is among the few world leaders to have received the vaccine.

Top 10 world news today: EU countries receive coronavirus vaccine, Spain finds new strain, and more

The creator of the world’s first approved coronavirus vaccine has warned that he believes the deadly coronavirus may survive for several years to come.

Lead scientist behind Pfizer's coronavirus vaccine, Ugur Sahin, said that “The virus will stay with us for the next 10 years,”. 
 
<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/watch-us-nurse-passes-out-after-getting-pfizer-biontechs-covid-19-vaccine-350712">Watch: US nurse passes out after getting Pfizer-BioNTech’s COVID-19 vaccine</a>

“We need to get used to the fact there’ll be more outbreaks," he added.

Asked when he believed the world might be able to return to normal, Sahin responded: “We need a new definition of ‘normal’.” 
 
<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/four-trial-volunteers-who-got-pfizers-covid-19-vaccine-developed-bells-palsy-348547">Also read: Four trial volunteers who got Pfizer's COVID-19 vaccine developed Bell's palsy</a>

Sahin continued that a “new normal” would not mean countries having to go into lockdown and that scenario could be possible “by the end of the summer”.

Ugur Sahin, chief executive of Germany's BioNTech, partnered with US drug company Pfizer and took less than a year to get a vaccine approved.

Sahin also urged caution on whether 60-70% of the world’s population being vaccinated would be enough to prevent further outbreaks.

(With inputs from agencies)

The creator of the world’s first approved coronavirus vaccine has warned that he believes the deadly coronavirus may survive for several years to come. Lead scientist behind Pfizer's coronavirus vaccine, Ugur Sahin, said that “The virus will stay with us for the next 10 years,”.

The creator of the world’s first approved coronavirus vaccine has warned that he believes the deadly coronavirus may survive for several years to come. Lead scientist behind Pfizer's coronavirus vaccine, Ugur Sahin, said that “The virus will stay with us for the next 10 years,”. Watch: US nurse passes out after getting Pfizer-BioNTech’s COVID-19 vaccine “We need to get used to the fact there’ll be more outbreaks," he added. Asked when he believed the world might be able to return to normal, Sahin responded: “We need a new definition of ‘normal’.” Also read: Four trial volunteers who got Pfizer's COVID-19 vaccine developed Bell's palsy Sahin continued that a “new normal” would not mean countries having to go into lockdown and that scenario could be possible “by the end of the summer”. Ugur Sahin, chief executive of Germany's BioNTech, partnered with US drug company Pfizer and took less than a year to get a vaccine approved. Sahin also urged caution on whether 60-70% of the world’s population being vaccinated would be enough to prevent further outbreaks. (With inputs from agencies)

Coronavirus will stay with us for the next 10 years, says vaccine creator

The Trump administration and Pfizer are close to a deal under which the pharmaceutical company would bolster supply of its coronavirus vaccine for the United States by at least tens of millions of doses next year in exchange for a government directive giving it better access to manufacturing supplies, people familiar with the discussions said.

An agreement, which could be announced as early as Wednesday, would help the United States at least partly offset a looming vaccine shortage that could leave as many as 110 million adult Americans uncovered in the first half of 2021.

So far, only two pharmaceutical companies — Pfizer and Moderna — have won federal authorization for emergency distribution of COVID-19 vaccines, and most of what they are capable of producing for the next six months has already been allocated through contracts with the United States and other governments.

In the negotiations, the government is asking for 100 million additional doses from Pfizer from April through June. The company has signaled that it should be able to produce at least 70 million, and perhaps more, if it can get more access to supplies and raw materials.

To help Pfizer, the deal calls for the government to invoke the Defense Production Act to give the company better access to roughly nine specialized products it needs to make the vaccine. One person familiar with the list said it included lipids, the oily molecules in which the genetic material that is used in both the Moderna and Pfizer vaccines is encased.

Pfizer first started asking for the government’s help in obtaining supplies as early as September and has been unhappy about the lack of response, according to documents reviewed by The New York Times.

Moderna and other companies that worked more closely than Pfizer with the administration through its Operation Warp Speed to develop their vaccines already receive favored treatment from suppliers, putting Pfizer at a disadvantage. That includes two companies — Sanofi and Novavax — that have yet to begin large-scale clinical trials in the United States.

Pfizer and the administration have been negotiating for more doses from Pfizer for more than a month. But a host of other issues have stood in the way of a deal, including Pfizer’s commitments to other nations that moved faster than the United States to lock in a big supply, according to people familiar with the situation.

Pfizer already has a federal contract, signed in July, to deliver 100 million doses of its vaccine by the end of March. Moderna has the same agreement, and has also pledged to sell the government 100 million more doses in the second quarter of the year, from the start of April to the end of June.

Because the Pfizer and the Moderna vaccine both require two doses, that supply would cover only 150 million Americans out of the roughly 260 million who are eligible at the moment to be vaccinated. (Moderna’s vaccine is now restricted to those 18 and over, and Pfizer’s is limited to those 16 and over.)

If Pfizer provides another 100 million doses, that would leave about 60 million eligible Americans uncovered in the first half of the year. Other producers could also cover the shortfall should their vaccines prove successful.

It is not clear how many more doses Pfizer can quickly produce even if the administration uses the Defense Production Act to clear away supply obstacles. One person familiar with the situation said the firm may only be able to deliver 70 million by the end of June, even with better access to supplies.

Had the government agreed to prioritize its supply needs earlier, one person familiar with Pfizer’s situation said, the company might be better positioned now to fully meet the demands. Documents reviewed by The Times showed that Pfizer officials began asking Gen. Gustave F. Perna, the chief operating officer of Operation Warp Speed, in September for help with supplies and brought up the issue repeatedly in weekly meetings.

A senior Trump administration official said the government was unwilling to intervene because Pfizer refused to promise that it would use those materials to produce vaccines solely for Americans.

“It’s our obligation under that type of priority rating to make sure that assets are used only for U.S. sales or production,” the official said, “and they weren’t willing to do that.”

People knowledgeable about the talks said Perna had raised a different concern with Pfizer, saying the government wanted to protect its investment in the other companies under Warp Speed’s umbrella, so it did not want to grant Pfizer the same priority with supplies.

According to a report last month by the Government Accountability Office, the Defense Production Act gives the federal government vast authority over private companies, including the power to prevent supplies from being diverted to a different purpose or products from being sold overseas. The administration has granted the kind of status that Pfizer has been seeking to multiple contractors for medical supplies since the pandemic began, including companies that produce ventilators and N95 respirators, the report states.

Because the Pfizer vaccine, developed with the German company BioNTech, is one of only two that the Food and Drug Administration has approved for emergency use, the company has had leverage in negotiating the new contract.

That advantage could erode if other vaccines are authorized. A third firm, Johnson &amp;amp; Johnson, is expected to announce results from its clinical trials next month. A fourth, AstraZeneca, has announced some interim results, but it has yet to fully enroll its trial in the United States.

With infections, hospitalizations and deaths surging to record levels from a pandemic that has already killed more than 320,000 Americans, the pressure on Pfizer and the government to come to terms is growing.

“The last thing we want is for this to turn acrimonious,” said Dr. Walid F. Gellad, who leads the Center for Pharmaceutical Policy and Prescribing at the University of Pittsburgh. “This kind of corrosive back-and-forth is not helping the public feel any better about what’s going to happen in the future.”

Pfizer’s relationship with the administration has been tense for months. After he lost the election in November, President Donald Trump accused Pfizer of deliberately slow-walking federal approval of its vaccine to hurt him politically.

Alex Azar, the secretary of health and human services, and his aides have complained that Pfizer has kept the government at arm’s length, has faced production problems and has sometimes been uncooperative in negotiations.

Another snag in the relationship surfaced Friday when a European official released on Twitter — and then quickly deleted — a price list showing that vaccine shipments to the U.S. government cost a third more per dose than shipments to European customers.

Pfizer completed a deal last month to sell the European Union 200 million doses at a cost of $14.50 each. The contract signed by the Trump administration with Pfizer in July for the original 100 million doses put the price at $19.50

It is unclear how much the United States would pay if Pfizer and the federal government struck a new deal. In a statement, Pfizer said only that the EU’s order was its largest to date, and that Pfizer and BioNTech “are using a tiered pricing formula based on volume and delivery dates.” It declined to disclose further details of the agreement.

Pfizer executives have been frustrated because, according to people familiar with the negotiations, they repeatedly urged the federal government this summer and fall to lock in more doses early, before other nations snapped them up. Administration officials declined, later saying that Pfizer refused to commit to specific dates when it would deliver them.

The pharmaceutical firm has struggled to navigate the politics of the situation. Pfizer’s chief executive, Dr. Albert Bourla, repeatedly suggested that the firm would know if its vaccine worked by October. Trump, who saw a vaccine breakthrough as crucial to his reelection chances, initially praised Bourla as a “great guy” — then blamed the firm for his loss when the results were released after Election Day.

At the same time, the president and his top aides have claimed credit for Pfizer’s success, even though, unlike the other five vaccine makers in the Operation Warp Speed program, Pfizer did not take federal subsidies for the vaccine development or manufacturing, assuming all of the risk itself.

Pfizer has also vacillated in describing its relationship with the federal government. A top Pfizer official at one point stated that “we were never part of Operation Warp Speed,” then the company backtracked and acknowledged the firm was.

Azar alluded to the friction with Pfizer in an interview last week with CNBC, saying the federal government was willing to help Pfizer manufacture more “if they are willing to take our help.” He added, “I do wish we would just stop talking about this Pfizer thing.”

He denied that there was any threat of a vaccine shortage, saying the government had commitments for three times as many doses as it has now ordered for the first half of next year. Azar’s total appears to include either doses of vaccines that have not yet been shown to work or doses described in contract options that are not set in stone and include no firm date of delivery, or both.

The Trump administration and Pfizer are close to a deal under which the pharmaceutical company would bolster supply of its coronavirus vaccine for the United States by at least tens of millions of doses next year in exchange for a government directive giving it better access to manufacturing supplies, people familiar with the discussions said.

The Trump administration and Pfizer are close to a deal under which the pharmaceutical company would bolster supply of its coronavirus vaccine for the United States by at least tens of millions of doses next year in exchange for a government directive giving it better access to manufacturing supplies, people familiar with the discussions said. An agreement, which could be announced as early as Wednesday, would help the United States at least partly offset a looming vaccine shortage that could leave as many as 110 million adult Americans uncovered in the first half of 2021. So far, only two pharmaceutical companies — Pfizer and Moderna — have won federal authorization for emergency distribution of COVID-19 vaccines, and most of what they are capable of producing for the next six months has already been allocated through contracts with the United States and other governments. In the negotiations, the government is asking for 100 million additional doses from Pfizer from April through June. The company has signaled that it should be able to produce at least 70 million, and perhaps more, if it can get more access to supplies and raw materials. To help Pfizer, the deal calls for the government to invoke the Defense Production Act to give the company better access to roughly nine specialized products it needs to make the vaccine. One person familiar with the list said it included lipids, the oily molecules in which the genetic material that is used in both the Moderna and Pfizer vaccines is encased. Pfizer first started asking for the government’s help in obtaining supplies as early as September and has been unhappy about the lack of response, according to documents reviewed by The New York Times. Moderna and other companies that worked more closely than Pfizer with the administration through its Operation Warp Speed to develop their vaccines already receive favored treatment from suppliers, putting Pfizer at a disadvantage. That includes two companies — Sanofi and Novavax — that have yet to begin large-scale clinical trials in the United States. Pfizer and the administration have been negotiating for more doses from Pfizer for more than a month. But a host of other issues have stood in the way of a deal, including Pfizer’s commitments to other nations that moved faster than the United States to lock in a big supply, according to people familiar with the situation. Pfizer already has a federal contract, signed in July, to deliver 100 million doses of its vaccine by the end of March. Moderna has the same agreement, and has also pledged to sell the government 100 million more doses in the second quarter of the year, from the start of April to the end of June. Because the Pfizer and the Moderna vaccine both require two doses, that supply would cover only 150 million Americans out of the roughly 260 million who are eligible at the moment to be vaccinated. (Moderna’s vaccine is now restricted to those 18 and over, and Pfizer’s is limited to those 16 and over.) If Pfizer provides another 100 million doses, that would leave about 60 million eligible Americans uncovered in the first half of the year. Other producers could also cover the shortfall should their vaccines prove successful. It is not clear how many more doses Pfizer can quickly produce even if the administration uses the Defense Production Act to clear away supply obstacles. One person familiar with the situation said the firm may only be able to deliver 70 million by the end of June, even with better access to supplies. Had the government agreed to prioritize its supply needs earlier, one person familiar with Pfizer’s situation said, the company might be better positioned now to fully meet the demands. Documents reviewed by The Times showed that Pfizer officials began asking Gen. Gustave F. Perna, the chief operating officer of Operation Warp Speed, in September for help with supplies and brought up the issue repeatedly in weekly meetings. A senior Trump administration official said the government was unwilling to intervene because Pfizer refused to promise that it would use those materials to produce vaccines solely for Americans. “It’s our obligation under that type of priority rating to make sure that assets are used only for U.S. sales or production,” the official said, “and they weren’t willing to do that.” People knowledgeable about the talks said Perna had raised a different concern with Pfizer, saying the government wanted to protect its investment in the other companies under Warp Speed’s umbrella, so it did not want to grant Pfizer the same priority with supplies. According to a report last month by the Government Accountability Office, the Defense Production Act gives the federal government vast authority over private companies, including the power to prevent supplies from being diverted to a different purpose or products from being sold overseas. The administration has granted the kind of status that Pfizer has been seeking to multiple contractors for medical supplies since the pandemic began, including companies that produce ventilators and N95 respirators, the report states. Because the Pfizer vaccine, developed with the German company BioNTech, is one of only two that the Food and Drug Administration has approved for emergency use, the company has had leverage in negotiating the new contract. That advantage could erode if other vaccines are authorized. A third firm, Johnson &amp; Johnson, is expected to announce results from its clinical trials next month. A fourth, AstraZeneca, has announced some interim results, but it has yet to fully enroll its trial in the United States. With infections, hospitalizations and deaths surging to record levels from a pandemic that has already killed more than 320,000 Americans, the pressure on Pfizer and the government to come to terms is growing. “The last thing we want is for this to turn acrimonious,” said Dr. Walid F. Gellad, who leads the Center for Pharmaceutical Policy and Prescribing at the University of Pittsburgh. “This kind of corrosive back-and-forth is not helping the public feel any better about what’s going to happen in the future.” Pfizer’s relationship with the administration has been tense for months. After he lost the election in November, President Donald Trump accused Pfizer of deliberately slow-walking federal approval of its vaccine to hurt him politically. Alex Azar, the secretary of health and human services, and his aides have complained that Pfizer has kept the government at arm’s length, has faced production problems and has sometimes been uncooperative in negotiations. Another snag in the relationship surfaced Friday when a European official released on Twitter — and then quickly deleted — a price list showing that vaccine shipments to the U.S. government cost a third more per dose than shipments to European customers. Pfizer completed a deal last month to sell the European Union 200 million doses at a cost of $14.50 each. The contract signed by the Trump administration with Pfizer in July for the original 100 million doses put the price at $19.50 It is unclear how much the United States would pay if Pfizer and the federal government struck a new deal. In a statement, Pfizer said only that the EU’s order was its largest to date, and that Pfizer and BioNTech “are using a tiered pricing formula based on volume and delivery dates.” It declined to disclose further details of the agreement. Pfizer executives have been frustrated because, according to people familiar with the negotiations, they repeatedly urged the federal government this summer and fall to lock in more doses early, before other nations snapped them up. Administration officials declined, later saying that Pfizer refused to commit to specific dates when it would deliver them. The pharmaceutical firm has struggled to navigate the politics of the situation. Pfizer’s chief executive, Dr. Albert Bourla, repeatedly suggested that the firm would know if its vaccine worked by October. Trump, who saw a vaccine breakthrough as crucial to his reelection chances, initially praised Bourla as a “great guy” — then blamed the firm for his loss when the results were released after Election Day. At the same time, the president and his top aides have claimed credit for Pfizer’s success, even though, unlike the other five vaccine makers in the Operation Warp Speed program, Pfizer did not take federal subsidies for the vaccine development or manufacturing, assuming all of the risk itself. Pfizer has also vacillated in describing its relationship with the federal government. A top Pfizer official at one point stated that “we were never part of Operation Warp Speed,” then the company backtracked and acknowledged the firm was. Azar alluded to the friction with Pfizer in an interview last week with CNBC, saying the federal government was willing to help Pfizer manufacture more “if they are willing to take our help.” He added, “I do wish we would just stop talking about this Pfizer thing.” He denied that there was any threat of a vaccine shortage, saying the government had commitments for three times as many doses as it has now ordered for the first half of next year. Azar’s total appears to include either doses of vaccines that have not yet been shown to work or doses described in contract options that are not set in stone and include no firm date of delivery, or both.

Pfizer nears deal with Trump administration to provide more vaccine doses

The European Union (EU) approved the&nbsp;Pfizer-BioNTech <a href="https://www.wionews.com/topics/coronavirus-vaccine">vaccine</a> against COVID-19, a few days after the UK and South Africa identified a new strain of coronavirus. After the UK, Italy and Australia, too, reported cases of the new variant of the deadly virus. Other than the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/topics/coronavirus">COVID-19</a> news,&nbsp;China has called <a href="https://www.wionews.com/topics/donald-trump">Donald Trump's</a> accusation 'farce' on involvement in cyberattack.

Click on headlines to read more

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/it-works-against-new-variant-too-eu-approves-pfizer-biontech-coronavirus-vaccine-351418" hreflang="en">'It works against new variant too': EU approves Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine</a>

<img src="https://cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/styles/story_page/public/2020/12/04/172504-pfizer-incs-covid-19-vaccine.jpg?itok=QIPAysh0" />

EMA chief&nbsp;also reassured people that the existing vaccine can work against the new variant of the novel coronavirus — a claim nobody had made till now.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/after-uk-australia-detects-new-fast-spreading-coronavirus-strain-351398">After UK, Australia detects new fast-spreading coronavirus strain</a>

<img src="https://cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/styles/story_page/public/2020/12/17/174505-untitled-design.jpg?itok=V9hbH72b" />

Australia's Health Minister Greg Hunt said there are no plans to follow other countries in halting flights from the UK.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/china-calls-trumps-accusation-farce-on-involvement-in-cyberattack-351359">China calls Trump's accusation 'farce' on involvement in cyberattack</a>

<img src="https://cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/styles/story_page/public/2020/12/21/175096-untitled-design.jpg?itok=ywqJo0T7" />

Donald&nbsp;Trump on Twitter on Saturday played down Russian involvement on the cyberattack on several US government agencies and said that China 'may'&nbsp;also be involved.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/astrazeneca-signs-memorandum-of-cooperation-with-russias-sputnik-v-to-combine-covid-19-vaccine-351417" hreflang="en">AstraZeneca signs memorandum of cooperation with Russia to combine vaccine</a>

<img src="https://cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/styles/story_page/public/2020/12/21/175136-untitled-design-15.jpg?itok=bbyJ8eqr" />

Russian President Vladimir Putin hailed British drugmaker AstraZeneca's decision to test combining its own experimental COVID-19 vaccine with Russia's Sputnik V shot.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/thailands-pm-prayut-blames-migrant-workers-for-covid-19-outbreak-351391" hreflang="en">Thailand's PM Prayut blames migrant workers for COVID-19 outbreak</a>

<img src="https://cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/styles/story_page/public/2019/03/24/87594-untitled-design-3.jpg?itok=nmVjmzRk" />

'They snuck out and came back in,' Thailand's Prime Minister Prayut Chan-O-Cha said blaming migrant workers for seafood market COVID-19 outbreak.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-says-prepared-to-react-if-iran-seeks-to-avenge-its-top-generals-killing-351255" hreflang="en">US says ‘prepared to react’ if Iran seeks to avenge its top general's killing</a>

<img src="https://cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/styles/story_page/public/2020/01/08/122910-untitled-design.jpg?itok=6KHiFFE_" />

In an apparent sign of US military leaders' concerns about Iranian intentions after Soleimani's killing, McKenzie's current tour was not announced in advance.&nbsp;

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/malaysian-ex-mp-hosts-drive-thru-wedding-for-son-10000-people-participate-351378" hreflang="en">Malaysian ex-MP hosts drive-thru wedding for son; 10,000 people participate</a>

<img src="https://cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/styles/story_page/public/2020/12/21/175116-covid-19-drive-thru-malaysian-wedding.jpg?itok=J5C5xDZk" />

The Malaysian politician along with his wife and the newly-wedded couple dressed up for the special day and stood at a designated point from where they waved and shared greetings with the guests who were seated in their cars.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/crime-will-increase-dramatically-with-covid-19-vaccine-rollout-interpol-351361" hreflang="en">Crime will increase 'dramatically' with COVID-19 vaccine rollout: Interpol</a>

<img src="https://cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/styles/story_page/public/2020/12/21/175093-covid-19-vaccine-theft.jpg?itok=71nRv75X" />

Interpol chief Juergen Stock has warned the world about a possible 'dramatic' increase in the theft and other crimes related to the COVID-19 vaccine.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/deadly-brain-eating-amoeba-is-spreading-in-us-scientists-issue-warning-351357" hreflang="en">Deadly brain-eating amoeba is spreading in US, scientists issue warning</a>

<img src="https://cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/styles/story_page/public/2020/12/21/175095-untitled-design-4.jpg?itok=89069Pc1" />

Naegleria fowleri is typically found in living, breathing people of freshwater, including lakes and streams.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/vietnam-important-pillar-of-indias-act-east-policy-pm-narendra-modi-351386">Vietnam 'important pillar' of India's Act East Policy: PM Narendra Modi</a>

<img src="https://cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/styles/story_page/public/2020/12/21/175121-untitled-design.jpg?itok=ds7HV0lE" />

The Indian prime minister also said that Vietnam is an 'important pillar of India's Act East Policy' and a 'big partner' of India's Indo-Pacific vision.

The European Union (EU) approved the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine against COVID-19, a few days after the UK and South Africa identified a new strain of coronavirus. After the UK, Italy and Australia, too, reported cases of the new variant of the deadly virus.

The European Union (EU) approved the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine against COVID-19, a few days after the UK and South Africa identified a new strain of coronavirus. After the UK, Italy and Australia, too, reported cases of the new variant of the deadly virus. Other than the COVID-19 news, China has called Donald Trump's accusation 'farce' on involvement in cyberattack. Click on headlines to read more 'It works against new variant too': EU approves Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine EMA chief also reassured people that the existing vaccine can work against the new variant of the novel coronavirus — a claim nobody had made till now. After UK, Australia detects new fast-spreading coronavirus strain Australia's Health Minister Greg Hunt said there are no plans to follow other countries in halting flights from the UK. China calls Trump's accusation 'farce' on involvement in cyberattack Donald Trump on Twitter on Saturday played down Russian involvement on the cyberattack on several US government agencies and said that China 'may' also be involved. AstraZeneca signs memorandum of cooperation with Russia to combine vaccine Russian President Vladimir Putin hailed British drugmaker AstraZeneca's decision to test combining its own experimental COVID-19 vaccine with Russia's Sputnik V shot. Thailand's PM Prayut blames migrant workers for COVID-19 outbreak 'They snuck out and came back in,' Thailand's Prime Minister Prayut Chan-O-Cha said blaming migrant workers for seafood market COVID-19 outbreak. US says ‘prepared to react’ if Iran seeks to avenge its top general's killing In an apparent sign of US military leaders' concerns about Iranian intentions after Soleimani's killing, McKenzie's current tour was not announced in advance. Malaysian ex-MP hosts drive-thru wedding for son; 10,000 people participate The Malaysian politician along with his wife and the newly-wedded couple dressed up for the special day and stood at a designated point from where they waved and shared greetings with the guests who were seated in their cars. Crime will increase 'dramatically' with COVID-19 vaccine rollout: Interpol Interpol chief Juergen Stock has warned the world about a possible 'dramatic' increase in the theft and other crimes related to the COVID-19 vaccine. Deadly brain-eating amoeba is spreading in US, scientists issue warning Naegleria fowleri is typically found in living, breathing people of freshwater, including lakes and streams. Vietnam 'important pillar' of India's Act East Policy: PM Narendra Modi The Indian prime minister also said that Vietnam is an 'important pillar of India's Act East Policy' and a 'big partner' of India's Indo-Pacific vision.

Top 10 world news today: EU approves Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine, new strain cases found in Australia, and more

US Food & Drug Administration has approved emergency authorisation of the Pfizer vaccine. WION brings you the US FDA's briefs on Pfizer vaccine.

US FDA on Pfizer vaccine approval: Americans can trust this clinical review

The Pfizer Inc's coronavirus vaccine has been endorsed by a panel of outside advisers to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration Thursday (December 10). And at the same time, a leading New York hospital system was standing at the ready with temperature-appropriate freezers.

New York's Mount Sinai prepares to distribute Pfizer vaccine

A panel of outside advisers to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration on Thursday voted overwhelmingly to endorse emergency use of Pfizer Inc's coronavirus vaccine, paving the way for the agency to authorize the shot for a nation that has lost more than 285,000 lives to COVID-19.

US FDA advisory panel votes in favor of Pfizer's coronavirus vaccine

There has been a lot of concern raised this week on social media platforms over Pfizer's <a href="https://www.wionews.com/topics/coronavirus-vaccine">coronavirus vaccine</a>, claiming that the drug can cause infertility.

The alarm was raised following an article published by a blog named as Health and Money News that falsely claimed that Pfizer's drug comprises ingredients have the potential in "training the female body to attack" a protein that plays a key role in the development of the placenta.

Watch |&nbsp;

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/major-airlines-prepare-for-covid-19-vaccine-airlift-348744/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

Let's check out the experts take on this claim.

Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/coronavirus-situation-in-us-may-become-normal-by-summer-or-fall-says-dr-fauci-349009">Coronavirus situation in US may become normal by summer or fall, says Dr Fauci</a>

"It's a myth, it's inaccurate — there's no evidence to support their perception," Saad Omer, a vaccine expert at Yale University, was quoted as saying by the NYT.

He added that expert agencies that clear the vaccines follow a "rigorous process" to eliminate products that might lead to disastrous consequences.&nbsp;

The placental proteins or the material that orders the formation of placental proteins are not present in Pfizer's vaccine as claimed by the article in Health and Money News. &nbsp;

Stephanie Langel, an immunologist and expert in maternal and neonatal immunity at Duke University, also underscored that Covid-19 spike and the placental protein have almost nothing similar, meaning that the vaccine doesn't have any ingredient to trigger these tissues.&nbsp;

She also pointed out the human body is capable of removing immune reactions that are detrimental to its own tissues.&nbsp;

"If we didn't have that, we wouldn't even make it past Day 1 of life," Langel said.

There has been a lot of concern raised this week on social media platforms over Pfizer's coronavirus vaccine, claiming that the drug can cause infertility. The alarm was raised following an article published by a blog named as Health and Money News that falsely claimed that Pfizer's drug comprises ingredients have the potential in "training the female body to attack" a protein that plays a key role in the development of the placenta.

There has been a lot of concern raised this week on social media platforms over Pfizer's coronavirus vaccine, claiming that the drug can cause infertility. The alarm was raised following an article published by a blog named as Health and Money News that falsely claimed that Pfizer's drug comprises ingredients have the potential in "training the female body to attack" a protein that plays a key role in the development of the placenta. Watch | Let's check out the experts take on this claim. Also read | Coronavirus situation in US may become normal by summer or fall, says Dr Fauci "It's a myth, it's inaccurate — there's no evidence to support their perception," Saad Omer, a vaccine expert at Yale University, was quoted as saying by the NYT. He added that expert agencies that clear the vaccines follow a "rigorous process" to eliminate products that might lead to disastrous consequences. The placental proteins or the material that orders the formation of placental proteins are not present in Pfizer's vaccine as claimed by the article in Health and Money News. Stephanie Langel, an immunologist and expert in maternal and neonatal immunity at Duke University, also underscored that Covid-19 spike and the placental protein have almost nothing similar, meaning that the vaccine doesn't have any ingredient to trigger these tissues. She also pointed out the human body is capable of removing immune reactions that are detrimental to its own tissues. "If we didn't have that, we wouldn't even make it past Day 1 of life," Langel said.

Can Pfizer's Covid-19 vaccine lead to infertility? Experts have this to say

Before Pfizer’s coronavirus vaccine was proved highly successful in clinical trials last month, the company offered the Trump administration the chance to lock in supplies beyond the 100 million doses the pharmaceutical maker agreed to sell the government as part of a $1.95 billion deal over the summer.

But the administration, according to people familiar with the talks, never made the deal, a choice that now raises questions about whether the United States allowed other countries to take its place in line.

While two vaccines, including Pfizer’s, have proved to be highly effective against COVID-19, and a third also appears at least moderately effective, supplies are shaping up to be scarce in the coming months as infections, hospitalizations and deaths surge to new highs.

And while Pfizer is now negotiating with the administration to provide more of its vaccine, people familiar with the talks say the company cannot guarantee that it will be able to deliver more than the initial 100 million doses — enough to inoculate 50 million people since its vaccine requires two shots — before perhaps next June.

After it signed its federal contract in late July, Pfizer went on to seal deals with other governments, including the European Union, which last month finalized an agreement to acquire 200 million doses from Pfizer and its German partner, BioNTech. On Tuesday, Britain will begin inoculating its population with the vaccine.

President Donald Trump has hailed the development of the vaccine as a victory for his administration, even though Pfizer, unlike the developer of the other most promising vaccine, Moderna, took no upfront money from the government’s Operation Warp Speed development program.

On Tuesday, Trump is holding a White House event to promote the program’s role and plans to issue an executive order that applies his “America First” philosophy to the pandemic by proclaiming that other nations will not get the U.S. supplies of its vaccine until Americans have been inoculated.

The executive order by itself appears to have no real teeth and does not expand the U.S. supply of doses, according to a description of the order on Monday by senior administration officials. But it provides Trump with a talking point to rebut any criticism about the limited initial supply of the vaccine.

The order is being issued “to ensure that the United States government prioritizes getting the vaccine to American citizens before sending it to other nations,” according to a draft statement. The decision by the White House to issue the executive order was reported by Fox News.

Since the beginning of the vaccine development efforts early this year, some experts have been concerned that nationalism could complicate efforts to distribute the vaccine equitably around the world. Until now the United States has declined to participate in international efforts to supply low-income countries with vaccines.

Asked if the Trump administration had missed a crucial chance to snap up more doses for Americans, a spokeswoman for the Department of Health and Human Services said, “We are confident that we will have 100 million doses of Pfizer’s vaccine as agreed to in our contract, and beyond that, we have five other vaccine candidates, including 100 million doses on the way from Moderna.”

The federal contract signed in July called for Pfizer to deliver 100 million doses by March at a cost of $19.50 a dose — if its vaccine worked. It gave the government the option to request 100 million to 500 million additional doses. It was one of six contracts that the Trump administration signed with vaccine-makers in a strategy intended to hedge its bets and maximize the chances of success.

Accounts differ over the timing of the discussions between Pfizer and federal officials about locking in extra doses. Several people said that during late summer or early fall, Pfizer officials repeatedly warned the Trump administration that demand could vastly outstrip supply and urged it to preorder more doses, but were turned down.

One senior administration official, who spoke to reporters on Monday on the condition of anonymity, said that any company offering hundreds of millions of doses before it had proof its vaccine worked “was just not going to get the government’s money.”

Another person familiar with the negotiations said talks about possible additional doses began in early October. Michael Pratt, a spokesman for the Department of Health and Human Services, declined to comment on the discussions, but said that “an important part of any negotiation is having established timelines for delivery and production amounts.”

In a statement, Pfizer, an American company with headquarters in New York, said that “any additional doses beyond the 100 million are subject to a separate and mutually acceptable agreement,” and that “the company is not able to comment on any confidential discussions that may be taking place with the U.S. government.”

So far, only Pfizer has won emergency approval from a Western government. British regulators authorized it less than a week ago, after late-stage clinical trial results showed the vaccine was about 95% effective. The Food and Drug Administration is expected to follow suit in the United States as early as this weekend.

The agency may also soon approve another vaccine developed by Moderna, a small firm based in Cambridge, Massachusetts. But doses supplied by Pfizer and Moderna will initially be extremely scarce — enough to vaccinate about 22.5 million people before the end of the year — and federal officials have said vaccines will not be widely available to Americans until well into next year, even as the daily death toll continues to climb with more than 280,000 lives lost to date.

Originally, the White House cast Tuesday’s vaccine event as a kind of a victory lap for Trump. The president has repeatedly noted that his administration threw the might of the federal government behind vaccine development, a farsighted move that contrasted with its now nearly yearlong failure to curb the pandemic’s spread.

But some high-profile players will not be there. Representatives for Moderna and Pfizer said the company executives did not plan to attend. A senior administration official said on Monday that the companies were not included because the event would also include a top regulator from the FDA, Dr. Peter Marks, who is reviewing their vaccine applications.

Despite its “America First” theme, a major component of the executive order directs federal agencies to develop a policy for eventually selling or donating any additional doses to other countries.

“Once we’ve ensured the ability to meet the needs of the American people, it would then be in the interest of the United States to facilitate international access to a COVID vaccine,” a senior administration official told reporters on Monday.

The bulk of the global supply of vaccines has been claimed by wealthy countries like the United States, Canada, Britain and countries in Europe, leading to criticism that people in low- and middle-income countries will be left behind. The United States, for example, has declined to participate in a global initiative, called Covax, that is meant to make a vaccine available globally.

The federal government settled on 100 million doses from Pfizer in part because it was supporting a portfolio of other candidates, and because it was uncertain how well the company’s vaccine would perform in late-stage clinical trials, federal officials said.

Pfizer has struggled to meet initial expectations. This summer, the company predicted that it would have 100 million doses by the end of the year, but in November, it said manufacturing challenges forced the company to scale that back to 50 million. Vaccine manufacturing is notoriously unpredictable, and any number of factors — from shortages of raw ingredients to contaminated batches — could cause further setbacks.

As negotiations continue for additional doses, Pfizer is in a strategically important position, given that it is one of only two companies with applications pending in the United States for emergency authorization. If other vaccines prove to be promising, Pfizer could lose its leverage to dictate the terms of its agreements with the federal government.

The United States could use the Defense Production Act to compel Pfizer to prioritize the federal government in its domestic factories. But Pfizer and BioNTech have a duplicate production line in Europe, limiting the United States’ ability to control Pfizer’s global supply. Forcing Pfizer to serve the United States first could also be diplomatically delicate, given the company’s deals with other governments.

Warp Speed officials and Pfizer are still in regular contact, and more commitments to Pfizer and Moderna could be made in the coming weeks and months, one official said. But by January, a new administration will most likely play a significant role in how much more to invest in Pfizer before it could receive a full license of its vaccine from the FDA, when investments may shift to the private market.

But while both Pfizer and Moderna appear to have achieved success beyond what researchers even hoped, some of the other vaccine-makers fell behind. Top federal health officials and outside experts have questioned the clinical trial data presented by AstraZeneca, a British-based company that is working with University of Oxford researchers.

Novavax, another vaccine-maker that received huge support from the Trump administration, has delayed the start of its Phase 3 clinical trial in the United States in part because of setbacks in manufacturing enough doses for its trial. It has now said that it plans to start this month.

Johnson &amp; Johnson has said it could report early results of its vaccine trial by January, and another Operation Warp Speed participant, Sanofi, has said it plans to start its late-stage vaccine trial before the end of the year.

Unlike other vaccine-makers, Pfizer spurned federal subsidies for developing and manufacturing, shouldering the financial risk of the vaccine project itself.

In a recent interview with The New York Times, the company’s chief executive, Dr. Albert Bourla, said he worried that government oversight would slow his firm’s work, not accelerate it. And he feared federal funding would come with strings attached. That has left Warp Speed officials with a less complete week-to-week understanding of the company’s manufacturing.

Before Pfizer’s coronavirus vaccine was proved highly successful in clinical trials last month, the company offered the Trump administration the chance to lock in supplies beyond the 100 million doses the pharmaceutical maker agreed to sell the government as part of a $1.

Before Pfizer’s coronavirus vaccine was proved highly successful in clinical trials last month, the company offered the Trump administration the chance to lock in supplies beyond the 100 million doses the pharmaceutical maker agreed to sell the government as part of a $1.95 billion deal over the summer. But the administration, according to people familiar with the talks, never made the deal, a choice that now raises questions about whether the United States allowed other countries to take its place in line. While two vaccines, including Pfizer’s, have proved to be highly effective against COVID-19, and a third also appears at least moderately effective, supplies are shaping up to be scarce in the coming months as infections, hospitalizations and deaths surge to new highs. And while Pfizer is now negotiating with the administration to provide more of its vaccine, people familiar with the talks say the company cannot guarantee that it will be able to deliver more than the initial 100 million doses — enough to inoculate 50 million people since its vaccine requires two shots — before perhaps next June. After it signed its federal contract in late July, Pfizer went on to seal deals with other governments, including the European Union, which last month finalized an agreement to acquire 200 million doses from Pfizer and its German partner, BioNTech. On Tuesday, Britain will begin inoculating its population with the vaccine. President Donald Trump has hailed the development of the vaccine as a victory for his administration, even though Pfizer, unlike the developer of the other most promising vaccine, Moderna, took no upfront money from the government’s Operation Warp Speed development program. On Tuesday, Trump is holding a White House event to promote the program’s role and plans to issue an executive order that applies his “America First” philosophy to the pandemic by proclaiming that other nations will not get the U.S. supplies of its vaccine until Americans have been inoculated. The executive order by itself appears to have no real teeth and does not expand the U.S. supply of doses, according to a description of the order on Monday by senior administration officials. But it provides Trump with a talking point to rebut any criticism about the limited initial supply of the vaccine. The order is being issued “to ensure that the United States government prioritizes getting the vaccine to American citizens before sending it to other nations,” according to a draft statement. The decision by the White House to issue the executive order was reported by Fox News. Since the beginning of the vaccine development efforts early this year, some experts have been concerned that nationalism could complicate efforts to distribute the vaccine equitably around the world. Until now the United States has declined to participate in international efforts to supply low-income countries with vaccines. Asked if the Trump administration had missed a crucial chance to snap up more doses for Americans, a spokeswoman for the Department of Health and Human Services said, “We are confident that we will have 100 million doses of Pfizer’s vaccine as agreed to in our contract, and beyond that, we have five other vaccine candidates, including 100 million doses on the way from Moderna.” The federal contract signed in July called for Pfizer to deliver 100 million doses by March at a cost of $19.50 a dose — if its vaccine worked. It gave the government the option to request 100 million to 500 million additional doses. It was one of six contracts that the Trump administration signed with vaccine-makers in a strategy intended to hedge its bets and maximize the chances of success. Accounts differ over the timing of the discussions between Pfizer and federal officials about locking in extra doses. Several people said that during late summer or early fall, Pfizer officials repeatedly warned the Trump administration that demand could vastly outstrip supply and urged it to preorder more doses, but were turned down. One senior administration official, who spoke to reporters on Monday on the condition of anonymity, said that any company offering hundreds of millions of doses before it had proof its vaccine worked “was just not going to get the government’s money.” Another person familiar with the negotiations said talks about possible additional doses began in early October. Michael Pratt, a spokesman for the Department of Health and Human Services, declined to comment on the discussions, but said that “an important part of any negotiation is having established timelines for delivery and production amounts.” In a statement, Pfizer, an American company with headquarters in New York, said that “any additional doses beyond the 100 million are subject to a separate and mutually acceptable agreement,” and that “the company is not able to comment on any confidential discussions that may be taking place with the U.S. government.” So far, only Pfizer has won emergency approval from a Western government. British regulators authorized it less than a week ago, after late-stage clinical trial results showed the vaccine was about 95% effective. The Food and Drug Administration is expected to follow suit in the United States as early as this weekend. The agency may also soon approve another vaccine developed by Moderna, a small firm based in Cambridge, Massachusetts. But doses supplied by Pfizer and Moderna will initially be extremely scarce — enough to vaccinate about 22.5 million people before the end of the year — and federal officials have said vaccines will not be widely available to Americans until well into next year, even as the daily death toll continues to climb with more than 280,000 lives lost to date. Originally, the White House cast Tuesday’s vaccine event as a kind of a victory lap for Trump. The president has repeatedly noted that his administration threw the might of the federal government behind vaccine development, a farsighted move that contrasted with its now nearly yearlong failure to curb the pandemic’s spread. But some high-profile players will not be there. Representatives for Moderna and Pfizer said the company executives did not plan to attend. A senior administration official said on Monday that the companies were not included because the event would also include a top regulator from the FDA, Dr. Peter Marks, who is reviewing their vaccine applications. Despite its “America First” theme, a major component of the executive order directs federal agencies to develop a policy for eventually selling or donating any additional doses to other countries. “Once we’ve ensured the ability to meet the needs of the American people, it would then be in the interest of the United States to facilitate international access to a COVID vaccine,” a senior administration official told reporters on Monday. The bulk of the global supply of vaccines has been claimed by wealthy countries like the United States, Canada, Britain and countries in Europe, leading to criticism that people in low- and middle-income countries will be left behind. The United States, for example, has declined to participate in a global initiative, called Covax, that is meant to make a vaccine available globally. The federal government settled on 100 million doses from Pfizer in part because it was supporting a portfolio of other candidates, and because it was uncertain how well the company’s vaccine would perform in late-stage clinical trials, federal officials said. Pfizer has struggled to meet initial expectations. This summer, the company predicted that it would have 100 million doses by the end of the year, but in November, it said manufacturing challenges forced the company to scale that back to 50 million. Vaccine manufacturing is notoriously unpredictable, and any number of factors — from shortages of raw ingredients to contaminated batches — could cause further setbacks. As negotiations continue for additional doses, Pfizer is in a strategically important position, given that it is one of only two companies with applications pending in the United States for emergency authorization. If other vaccines prove to be promising, Pfizer could lose its leverage to dictate the terms of its agreements with the federal government. The United States could use the Defense Production Act to compel Pfizer to prioritize the federal government in its domestic factories. But Pfizer and BioNTech have a duplicate production line in Europe, limiting the United States’ ability to control Pfizer’s global supply. Forcing Pfizer to serve the United States first could also be diplomatically delicate, given the company’s deals with other governments. Warp Speed officials and Pfizer are still in regular contact, and more commitments to Pfizer and Moderna could be made in the coming weeks and months, one official said. But by January, a new administration will most likely play a significant role in how much more to invest in Pfizer before it could receive a full license of its vaccine from the FDA, when investments may shift to the private market. But while both Pfizer and Moderna appear to have achieved success beyond what researchers even hoped, some of the other vaccine-makers fell behind. Top federal health officials and outside experts have questioned the clinical trial data presented by AstraZeneca, a British-based company that is working with University of Oxford researchers. Novavax, another vaccine-maker that received huge support from the Trump administration, has delayed the start of its Phase 3 clinical trial in the United States in part because of setbacks in manufacturing enough doses for its trial. It has now said that it plans to start this month. Johnson & Johnson has said it could report early results of its vaccine trial by January, and another Operation Warp Speed participant, Sanofi, has said it plans to start its late-stage vaccine trial before the end of the year. Unlike other vaccine-makers, Pfizer spurned federal subsidies for developing and manufacturing, shouldering the financial risk of the vaccine project itself. In a recent interview with The New York Times, the company’s chief executive, Dr. Albert Bourla, said he worried that government oversight would slow his firm’s work, not accelerate it. And he feared federal funding would come with strings attached. That has left Warp Speed officials with a less complete week-to-week understanding of the company’s manufacturing.

Trump administration passed on chance to secure more of Pfizer vaccine

UK is planning to a 'mix & match' trial of Oxford & Pfizer vaccines. The pilot trial has been scheduled for January 2021.

UK to begin trial to 'mix & match' COVID-19 vaccines from Jan 2021

90-year-old Margaret Keenan, became the first person in the world to receive the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine shot outside of a trial as Britain began vaccinating its population.

90-year-old UK woman, first in the world to get Pfizer vaccine shot

Hari Shukla, an Indian-origin man, will become one of the first people in the world to receive the COVID-19 vaccine as he is scheduled to get a shot of the&nbsp;Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine in Newcastle, the UK on Tuesday.

The 87-year-old man from&nbsp;Tyne and Wear says he feels it is his duty to be the first one to receive the first dose on the first day, which is being dubbed as 'V-Day' or 'Vaccination day'. "I'm so pleased we are hopefully coming towards the end of this pandemic and I am delighted to be doing my bit by having the vaccine, I feel it is my duty to do so and do whatever I can to help," Shukla said.

Also read|&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/beginning-of-the-end-for-pandemic-britain-begins-roll-out-of-pfizers-drug-to-the-public-348249" hreflang="en">'Beginning of the end' for pandemic: Britain begins roll-out of Pfizer's drug to the public</a>

The UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson has hailed this 'V Day' as a "huge step forward".&nbsp;

Shukla was contacted by the&nbsp;UK's Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation as a part of the phased rollout plan, which is based&nbsp;at the highest risk of death from the deadly virus.

"Having been in contact with the NHS (National Health Service), I know how hard they all work and the greatest respect for them - they have a heart of gold and I am grateful for everything they have done to keep us safe during the pandemic," Shukla explained.

Also read|&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/beginning-of-the-end-for-pandemic-britain-begins-roll-out-of-pfizers-drug-to-the-public-348249" hreflang="en">'Beginning of the end' for pandemic: Britain begins roll-out of Pfizer's drug to the public</a>

Boris Johnson, while congratulating the experts and country on this achievement, also issued a call of caution saying even though the vaccine is being rolled out, people should still take care and practice social distancing.&nbsp;

"Today marks a huge step forward in the UK's fight against coronavirus, as we begin delivering the vaccine to the first patients across the whole country. I am immensely proud of the scientists who developed the vaccine, members of the public who took part in trials, and the NHS who have worked tirelessly to prepare for rollout," Johnson said.

As of now, the people over 80-years will be the ones receiving the vaccine. The UK authorities have carefully monitored the health graph of the recipients of the vaccine.

We will look back on today, V-day, as a key moment in our fight back against this terrible disease, and I am proud our health services across the United Kingdom are about to embark on our largest ever vaccination programme," said UK Health Secretary Matt Hancock.

Hari Shukla, an Indian-origin man, will become one of the first people in the world to receive the COVID-19 vaccine as he is scheduled to get a shot of the Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine in Newcastle, the UK on Tuesday.

Hari Shukla, an Indian-origin man, will become one of the first people in the world to receive the COVID-19 vaccine as he is scheduled to get a shot of the Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine in Newcastle, the UK on Tuesday. The 87-year-old man from Tyne and Wear says he feels it is his duty to be the first one to receive the first dose on the first day, which is being dubbed as 'V-Day' or 'Vaccination day'. "I'm so pleased we are hopefully coming towards the end of this pandemic and I am delighted to be doing my bit by having the vaccine, I feel it is my duty to do so and do whatever I can to help," Shukla said. Also read| 'Beginning of the end' for pandemic: Britain begins roll-out of Pfizer's drug to the public The UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson has hailed this 'V Day' as a "huge step forward". Shukla was contacted by the UK's Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation as a part of the phased rollout plan, which is based at the highest risk of death from the deadly virus. "Having been in contact with the NHS (National Health Service), I know how hard they all work and the greatest respect for them - they have a heart of gold and I am grateful for everything they have done to keep us safe during the pandemic," Shukla explained. Also read| 'Beginning of the end' for pandemic: Britain begins roll-out of Pfizer's drug to the public Boris Johnson, while congratulating the experts and country on this achievement, also issued a call of caution saying even though the vaccine is being rolled out, people should still take care and practice social distancing. "Today marks a huge step forward in the UK's fight against coronavirus, as we begin delivering the vaccine to the first patients across the whole country. I am immensely proud of the scientists who developed the vaccine, members of the public who took part in trials, and the NHS who have worked tirelessly to prepare for rollout," Johnson said. As of now, the people over 80-years will be the ones receiving the vaccine. The UK authorities have carefully monitored the health graph of the recipients of the vaccine. We will look back on today, V-day, as a key moment in our fight back against this terrible disease, and I am proud our health services across the United Kingdom are about to embark on our largest ever vaccination programme," said UK Health Secretary Matt Hancock.

Hari Shukla, Indian-origin man, among first in world to receive COVID-19 vaccine

According to reports, Britain's Queen Elizabeth II will receive the Pfizer-BioNTech coronavirus vaccine within weeks, after UK regulators granted emergency approval and the world's first rollout which begins this week.

Britain's Queen Elizabeth II to get COVID-19 vaccine in weeks: Reports

UK is preparing to become the first country to roll out the Pfizer/BioNTech Covid-19 vaccine this week.

UK is getting Pfizer's COVID-19 vaccine this week

U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s Commissioner Stephen Hahn has said that it is realistic to expect that 20 million Americans could be vaccinated against Coronavirus by the end of this year. Hahn declined to give a specific timeline for vaccine approvals.

US FDA Chief: 20 mn to be vaccinated this year

As countries compete to grab doses of the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/vaccine-to-lowest-levels-pm-modi-speaks-on-covid-19-vaccine-cost-distribution-strategy-during-chief-ministers-meeting-345108">vaccines</a>, the world is turning to India for vaccine supplies.

India's plays a vital role in the vaccine chain. India is the world's vaccine manufacturing hub and is known for its pharmacy in vaccine production.

India supplies over 60 per cent of the vaccines for the developing world and the Wuhan virus pandemic will be no different. In July, the government had organised an online vaccine symposium with Peter Piot as one of the attendees. Piot is the director of the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine.

Piot said without India there won't be enough <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/russias-sputnik-v-vaccine-to-be-manufactured-in-india-345136">vaccines</a> to save the world. The Serum Institute in Pune is manufacturing one billion doses of the Wuhan virus vaccine being developed by the University of Oxford and AstraZeneca.

India's Serum Institute also happens to be the world's largest vaccine maker and at its full capacity, the company can make 60 to 70 million doses a month. The Serum Institute is also developing and testing four other Wuhan virus vaccines including the Novavax and Codagenix candidates.

There are other Indian firms that have entered into partnerships for manufacturing potential Wuhan virus vaccines. Hyderabad-based biological e has struck a deal for the shot being developed by Johnson and Johnson's subsidiary Belgium's Janssen Pharamaceutica.

Reports say biological e may also manufacture a candidate being developed by Houston's Baylor college of medicine. Indian immunologicals, a firm based out of Hyderabad has entered into a partnership with Australia's Griffith University.

The Indian firm will be testing and manufacturing the university's vaccine candidate. Bharat Biotech has a deal to manufacture 1 billion doses of Washington University's intranasal vaccine.

It also has a partnership with the University of Wisconsin Madison and US-based firm Flugen to make almost 300 million doses of a vaccine for global distribution.

Dr. Reddy's has a deal to produce 100 million doses of the Sputnik V. Ahmedabad-based Zydus Cadila is also working on a shot which is undergoing clinical trials.&nbsp;

Earlier this month, India's foreign secretary Harsh Vardhan Shringla said: "Several countries have been approaching us for receiving vaccine supply. I reiterate the prime minister’s commitment that India’s vaccine production and delivery capacity will be used to help all humanity in fighting this crisis."

Shringla added that India also help "interested countries in enhancing their cold chain and storage capacities for the delivery of the vaccines."

There is a difference between India's approach to the Wuhan virus vaccine, and how the world is looking at the vaccine race while there are countries looking at hoarding vaccines, pre-ordering at least a billin doses for a population of just 330 million.&nbsp;

India is not just manufacturing vaccines for its citizens, but also for the world and in doing so, India is not looking to discriminate on the basis on global economic rankings.

India exported its vaccine stock to other nations when the pandemic struck. In a visit to Dhaka in August this year, Harsh Vardhn Shringla promised that India would supply vaccines to Bangladesh on a priority basis. Dhaka signed a deal with the Serum Insitute for 30 million doses of the AstraZeneca vaccine.

India has stated that its closest neighbours, friends, partners and other countries will receive privileged access. On August, 7, the global vaccine alliance announced a collaboration with India's Serum Institute and the Bill &amp; Melinda Gates Foundation.

The deal gave the Indian company financial support of $150 million dollars in order to supply 100 million doses of vaccines for distribution in low and middle-income countries in 2021.

India's biologicals e has promised to push for equal procurement and distribution of the vaccine and stay committed to the COVAX vaccine alliance.&nbsp;

According to CEPI or coalition for epidemic preparedness innovations survey, India has the largest production capacity for drug substance and as the world battles a deadly Wuhan virus, India is not prioritising profit over the health of billions.

As countries compete to grab doses of the vaccines, the world is turning to India for vaccine supplies. India's plays a vital role in the vaccine chain. India is the world's vaccine manufacturing hub and is known for its pharmacy in vaccine production.

As countries compete to grab doses of the vaccines, the world is turning to India for vaccine supplies. India's plays a vital role in the vaccine chain. India is the world's vaccine manufacturing hub and is known for its pharmacy in vaccine production. India supplies over 60 per cent of the vaccines for the developing world and the Wuhan virus pandemic will be no different. In July, the government had organised an online vaccine symposium with Peter Piot as one of the attendees. Piot is the director of the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine. Piot said without India there won't be enough vaccines to save the world. The Serum Institute in Pune is manufacturing one billion doses of the Wuhan virus vaccine being developed by the University of Oxford and AstraZeneca. India's Serum Institute also happens to be the world's largest vaccine maker and at its full capacity, the company can make 60 to 70 million doses a month. The Serum Institute is also developing and testing four other Wuhan virus vaccines including the Novavax and Codagenix candidates. There are other Indian firms that have entered into partnerships for manufacturing potential Wuhan virus vaccines. Hyderabad-based biological e has struck a deal for the shot being developed by Johnson and Johnson's subsidiary Belgium's Janssen Pharamaceutica. Reports say biological e may also manufacture a candidate being developed by Houston's Baylor college of medicine. Indian immunologicals, a firm based out of Hyderabad has entered into a partnership with Australia's Griffith University. The Indian firm will be testing and manufacturing the university's vaccine candidate. Bharat Biotech has a deal to manufacture 1 billion doses of Washington University's intranasal vaccine. It also has a partnership with the University of Wisconsin Madison and US-based firm Flugen to make almost 300 million doses of a vaccine for global distribution. Dr. Reddy's has a deal to produce 100 million doses of the Sputnik V. Ahmedabad-based Zydus Cadila is also working on a shot which is undergoing clinical trials. Earlier this month, India's foreign secretary Harsh Vardhan Shringla said: "Several countries have been approaching us for receiving vaccine supply. I reiterate the prime minister’s commitment that India’s vaccine production and delivery capacity will be used to help all humanity in fighting this crisis." Shringla added that India also help "interested countries in enhancing their cold chain and storage capacities for the delivery of the vaccines." There is a difference between India's approach to the Wuhan virus vaccine, and how the world is looking at the vaccine race while there are countries looking at hoarding vaccines, pre-ordering at least a billin doses for a population of just 330 million. India is not just manufacturing vaccines for its citizens, but also for the world and in doing so, India is not looking to discriminate on the basis on global economic rankings. India exported its vaccine stock to other nations when the pandemic struck. In a visit to Dhaka in August this year, Harsh Vardhn Shringla promised that India would supply vaccines to Bangladesh on a priority basis. Dhaka signed a deal with the Serum Insitute for 30 million doses of the AstraZeneca vaccine. India has stated that its closest neighbours, friends, partners and other countries will receive privileged access. On August, 7, the global vaccine alliance announced a collaboration with India's Serum Institute and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. The deal gave the Indian company financial support of $150 million dollars in order to supply 100 million doses of vaccines for distribution in low and middle-income countries in 2021. India's biologicals e has promised to push for equal procurement and distribution of the vaccine and stay committed to the COVAX vaccine alliance. According to CEPI or coalition for epidemic preparedness innovations survey, India has the largest production capacity for drug substance and as the world battles a deadly Wuhan virus, India is not prioritising profit over the health of billions.

Amid race for vaccine, world turns to India for vaccine supply

BioNTech announced on Wednesday that its potential coronavirus vaccine can come before Christmas if it secures emergency US and European authorisation.&nbsp;

The final trial results of the vaccine co-developed by Pfizer and BioNTech have shown that it has a success rate of 95 per cent with no serious side effects and is effective for people belonging to all age groups.&nbsp;

Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/final-results-show-coronavirus-vaccine-95-effective-says-pfizer-343912">Final results show coronavirus vaccine 95% effective, says Pfizer</a>

The US Food and Drug Administration could allow emergency-use by the middle of December, said BioNTech Chief Executive Ugur Sahin to news agency Reuters.

"If all goes well I could imagine that we gain approval in the second half of December and start deliveries before Christmas, but really only if all goes positively," Sahin said.

The success rate of the drug was far more than what regulators had regarded acceptable, that prompted experts to call it a significant achievement to end the pandemic.

Of the 170 participants who were infected with Covid-19 in Pfizer's trial of over 43,000 people, 162 had received a placebo and not the vaccine, implying the vaccine was 95 per cent effective.&nbsp;

Sahin said the drugmakers would apply for the emergency use of the vaccine on Friday.

An FDA advisory committee tentatively aims to meet on December 8-10 to discuss the drug, a source told Reuters, adding that dates could be changed.&nbsp; 
&nbsp;

BioNTech announced on Wednesday that its potential coronavirus vaccine can come before Christmas if it secures emergency US and European authorisation. The final trial results of the vaccine co-developed by Pfizer and BioNTech have shown that it has a success rate of 95 per cent with no serious side effects and is effective for people belonging to all age groups.

BioNTech announced on Wednesday that its potential coronavirus vaccine can come before Christmas if it secures emergency US and European authorisation. The final trial results of the vaccine co-developed by Pfizer and BioNTech have shown that it has a success rate of 95 per cent with no serious side effects and is effective for people belonging to all age groups. Also read | Final results show coronavirus vaccine 95% effective, says Pfizer The US Food and Drug Administration could allow emergency-use by the middle of December, said BioNTech Chief Executive Ugur Sahin to news agency Reuters. "If all goes well I could imagine that we gain approval in the second half of December and start deliveries before Christmas, but really only if all goes positively," Sahin said. The success rate of the drug was far more than what regulators had regarded acceptable, that prompted experts to call it a significant achievement to end the pandemic. Of the 170 participants who were infected with Covid-19 in Pfizer's trial of over 43,000 people, 162 had received a placebo and not the vaccine, implying the vaccine was 95 per cent effective. Sahin said the drugmakers would apply for the emergency use of the vaccine on Friday. An FDA advisory committee tentatively aims to meet on December 8-10 to discuss the drug, a source told Reuters, adding that dates could be changed.

Pfizer vaccine deliveries could begin before Christmas, if 'all goes well'

As US pharma giant Pfizer announced that its coronavirus <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/final-results-show-coronavirus-vaccine-95-effective-says-pfizer-343912">vaccine</a> is 95 per cent effective, the Indian government said that it is a "big challenge" to arrange the cold-chain storage needed to store the COVID-19 vaccine.

Watch:

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/countries-queue-for-pfizers-covid-19-vaccine-342960/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

NITI Aayog member (Health) Dr VK Paul who heads the National Task Force on COVID-19, asserted that the government was examining the possibility of acquiring Pfizer's vaccine.&nbsp;

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/pfizer-to-begin-vaccine-delivery-programme-in-four-us-states-343698">Also Read:&nbsp;Pfizer to begin vaccine delivery programme in four US states</a>

The Pfizer vaccine needs to be stored at a temperature of minus 70 degrees Celsius. However, the NITI Aayog member said that the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/lead-scientist-behind-pfizers-covid-19-vaccine-ugur-sahin-says-life-will-not-return-to-normal-till-next-winter-343465">vaccine</a> won't be arriving in the country soon, but informed that the government would be working "out a strategy" to acquire and store the vaccine.

Paul underlined that the government was "watching the developments" as Pfizer prepares to apply to the US Food and Drug Administration(FDA), and moves to get regulatory approvals.&nbsp;

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/pfizer-in-talks-with-government-to-bring-its-covid-19-vaccine-to-india-report-342387">Pfizer</a> had earlier said that it would apply for Emergency Use Authorization in the third week of November while stating that it was "very close" to submit its findings to the US regulators.

Pfizer CEO Albert Bourla said on Wednesday that its vaccine had "no serious side effects" and it will apply for emergency use authorization from FDA within days. <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/volunteers-face-severe-hangover-headache-and-pain-after-getting-pfizer-vaccine-shot-342518">Pfizer's</a> vaccine is being co-developed along with Germany's BioNTech.

"With hundreds of thousands of people around the globe infected every day, we urgently need to get a safe and effective vaccine to the world," &nbsp;Bourla said.

According to Moncef Slaoui, head of Trump administration's "Operation Warp Speed" initiative the FDA may approve the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine early next month and added that from January, 25 million people in the United States would be vaccinated per month.

As US pharma giant Pfizer announced that its coronavirus vaccine is 95 per cent effective, the Indian government said that it is a "big challenge" to arrange the cold-chain storage needed to store the COVID-19 vaccine.

As US pharma giant Pfizer announced that its coronavirus vaccine is 95 per cent effective, the Indian government said that it is a "big challenge" to arrange the cold-chain storage needed to store the COVID-19 vaccine. Watch: NITI Aayog member (Health) Dr VK Paul who heads the National Task Force on COVID-19, asserted that the government was examining the possibility of acquiring Pfizer's vaccine. Also Read: Pfizer to begin vaccine delivery programme in four US states The Pfizer vaccine needs to be stored at a temperature of minus 70 degrees Celsius. However, the NITI Aayog member said that the vaccine won't be arriving in the country soon, but informed that the government would be working "out a strategy" to acquire and store the vaccine. Paul underlined that the government was "watching the developments" as Pfizer prepares to apply to the US Food and Drug Administration(FDA), and moves to get regulatory approvals. Pfizer had earlier said that it would apply for Emergency Use Authorization in the third week of November while stating that it was "very close" to submit its findings to the US regulators. Pfizer CEO Albert Bourla said on Wednesday that its vaccine had "no serious side effects" and it will apply for emergency use authorization from FDA within days. Pfizer's vaccine is being co-developed along with Germany's BioNTech. "With hundreds of thousands of people around the globe infected every day, we urgently need to get a safe and effective vaccine to the world," Bourla said. According to Moncef Slaoui, head of Trump administration's "Operation Warp Speed" initiative the FDA may approve the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine early next month and added that from January, 25 million people in the United States would be vaccinated per month.

Indian government 'watching' Pfizer's COVID-19 vaccine development, set to work out strategy to acquire it

US pharma company <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/pfizer-to-begin-vaccine-delivery-programme-in-four-us-states-343698">Pfizer</a> said today that its experimental coronavirus vaccine showed that it is "95 per cent effective".

Watch:

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/trump-claims-credit-for-pfizer-vaccine-effectivenes-343162/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

Pfizer CEO Albert Bourla said: "The study results mark an important step in this historic eight-month journey to bring forward a vaccine capable of helping to end this devastating pandemic."

The company said that there were "no serious side effects" and it will apply for emergency use authorization from the US Food and Drug Administration(FDA) within a few days.

The company had said last week that preliminary results from the clinical trial had revealed that the vaccine was more than 90 per cent effective after the second dose. The vaccine is co-developed with Germany's BioNTech.

US pharma company Pfizer said today that its experimental coronavirus vaccine showed that it is "95 per cent effective". Watch: Pfizer CEO Albert Bourla said: "The study results mark an important step in this historic eight-month journey to bring forward a vaccine capable of helping to end this devastating pandemic.

US pharma company Pfizer said today that its experimental coronavirus vaccine showed that it is "95 per cent effective". Watch: Pfizer CEO Albert Bourla said: "The study results mark an important step in this historic eight-month journey to bring forward a vaccine capable of helping to end this devastating pandemic." The company said that there were "no serious side effects" and it will apply for emergency use authorization from the US Food and Drug Administration(FDA) within a few days. The company had said last week that preliminary results from the clinical trial had revealed that the vaccine was more than 90 per cent effective after the second dose. The vaccine is co-developed with Germany's BioNTech.

Final results show coronavirus vaccine 95% effective, says Pfizer

A lead scientist behind&nbsp;Pfizer's&nbsp;coronavirus vaccine,&nbsp;Ugur Sahin, has warned that the jab needs time to be effective and that&nbsp;life will not return to normal till next winter.

Together with US giant&nbsp;Pfizer, BioN is developing the leading candidate in the worldwide chase for a vaccine.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/volunteers-face-severe-hangover-headache-and-pain-after-getting-pfizer-vaccine-shot-342518">Volunteers face 'severe hangover', headache and pain after getting Pfizer vaccine shot</a>

An effective inoculation against COVID-19 has been billed as the best way to end the global health crisis, but Professor Ugur Sahin, the co-founder of BioNTech, has cautioned against assuming the pandemic is behind us. &nbsp;

"Our goal is to deliver more than 300 million doses by April next year, which could already have an impact," he said.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/pfizer-biontech-claim-their-coronavirus-vaccine-is-90-effective-341931">Pfizer, BioNTech claim their coronavirus vaccine is 90% effective</a>

The vaccine, which Pfizer reports is over 90 percent effective, could be distributed to the general public as early as mid-December.&nbsp;

Israel signed a deal with Pfizer Inc on Friday to receive 8 million doses of the drugmaker's potential COVID-19 vaccine, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said, enough to cover close to half of Israel`s population.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/israel-signs-deal-with-pfizer-for-potential-covid-19-vaccine-342970">Israel signs deal with Pfizer for potential COVID-19 vaccine</a>

The infection rate will then go down in summer, Sahin predicted, adding that it is essential that there is a high takeup of the vaccination by autumn.

A number of vaccination companies are working to increase the supply, he said: "so we could have a normal winter next (year)."

Sahin and his wife Ozlem Tureci founded BioNTech in the western German city of Mainz in 2008.

Having identified promising vaccine blueprints, the company formed a partnership in March with American pharmaceutical giant&nbsp;Pfizer.

The announcement on Monday that their vaccine was more than 90 percent effective in trials led news bulletins around the world and sent stock markets and hopes soaring.&nbsp;

BioNTech is now worth $25.8 billion (21.8 billion euros), more than Germany's largest lender Deutsche Bank.

A lead scientist behind Pfizer's coronavirus vaccine, Ugur Sahin, has warned that the jab needs time to be effective and that life will not return to normal till next winter.

A lead scientist behind Pfizer's coronavirus vaccine, Ugur Sahin, has warned that the jab needs time to be effective and that life will not return to normal till next winter. Together with US giant Pfizer, BioN is developing the leading candidate in the worldwide chase for a vaccine. Also read: Volunteers face 'severe hangover', headache and pain after getting Pfizer vaccine shot An effective inoculation against COVID-19 has been billed as the best way to end the global health crisis, but Professor Ugur Sahin, the co-founder of BioNTech, has cautioned against assuming the pandemic is behind us. "Our goal is to deliver more than 300 million doses by April next year, which could already have an impact," he said. Also read: Pfizer, BioNTech claim their coronavirus vaccine is 90% effective The vaccine, which Pfizer reports is over 90 percent effective, could be distributed to the general public as early as mid-December. Israel signed a deal with Pfizer Inc on Friday to receive 8 million doses of the drugmaker's potential COVID-19 vaccine, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said, enough to cover close to half of Israel`s population. Also read: Israel signs deal with Pfizer for potential COVID-19 vaccine The infection rate will then go down in summer, Sahin predicted, adding that it is essential that there is a high takeup of the vaccination by autumn. A number of vaccination companies are working to increase the supply, he said: "so we could have a normal winter next (year)." Sahin and his wife Ozlem Tureci founded BioNTech in the western German city of Mainz in 2008. Having identified promising vaccine blueprints, the company formed a partnership in March with American pharmaceutical giant Pfizer. The announcement on Monday that their vaccine was more than 90 percent effective in trials led news bulletins around the world and sent stock markets and hopes soaring. BioNTech is now worth $25.8 billion (21.8 billion euros), more than Germany's largest lender Deutsche Bank.

Lead scientist behind Pfizer's COVID-19 vaccine, Ugur Sahin, says life will not return to normal till next winter

“Pfizer said it wasn’t part of Warp Speed, but that turned out to be an unfortunate misrepresentation," Trump added.

Trump claims credit for Pfizer vaccine effectivenes

As the coronavirus cases across the world continue to rise, <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/who-censors-taiwan-under-a-live-stream-of-its-press-conference-342571">World Health Organization</a>(WHO) chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said today that the UN health body is encouraged by "preliminary results of clinical trials released this week."

Watch:

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/countries-queue-for-pfizers-covid-19-vaccine-342960/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

The WHO chief was referring to<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/israel-signs-deal-with-pfizer-for-potential-covid-19-vaccine-342970"> Pfizer</a> and BioNTech who had announced their vaccine had proved 90 per cent effective in final phase trials involving over 40,000 people.

"Never in history has vaccine research progressed so quickly. We must apply the same urgency and innovation to ensure that all countries benefit from this scientific achievement," Tedros said, adding," I urge all countries to follow Thailand’s lead. No country can say it was well-enough prepared for COVID-19, or that it has no lessons to learn."

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"Never in history has vaccine research progressed so quickly. We must apply the same urgency and innovation to ensuring that all countries benefit from this scientific achievement"-<a href="https://twitter.com/DrTedros?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@DrTedros</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/ACTogether?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#ACTogether</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/WHA73?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#WHA73</a>
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Pfizer's potential <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/in-times-of-coronavirus-this-place-is-witnessing-overtourism-342963">coronavirus v</a>accine is likely to be a two-dose treatment as the world impatiently awaits a cure for the virus which has already killed over 1.3 million people while infected over 52 million worldwide.

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"There is no doubt that a vaccine will be a vital tool for controlling the <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/COVID19?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#COVID19</a> pandemic, and we’re encouraged by the preliminary results of clinical trials released this week"-<a href="https://twitter.com/DrTedros?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@DrTedros</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/ACTogether?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#ACTogether</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/WHA73?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#WHA73</a>
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"But we have a long way to go. The world cannot put all its eggs in one basket, and neglect the many other tools at our disposal that countries like Thailand have shown are effective for bringing this virus under control," the WHO chief asserted.

"The virus itself has not changed significantly, and nor have the measures needed to stop it."

However, Tedros reiterated that the World Health Assembly has at times been used for "political purposes that divide, rather than to focus on shared health challenges".

"The COVID-19 pandemic has also shown that there is an urgent need for a globally agreed system for sharing pathogen materials and clinical samples, to facilitate the rapid development of medical countermeasures as global public goods," Tedros asserted.

As the coronavirus cases across the world continue to rise, World Health Organization(WHO) chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said today that the UN health body is encouraged by "preliminary results of clinical trials released this week.

As the coronavirus cases across the world continue to rise, World Health Organization(WHO) chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said today that the UN health body is encouraged by "preliminary results of clinical trials released this week." Watch: The WHO chief was referring to Pfizer and BioNTech who had announced their vaccine had proved 90 per cent effective in final phase trials involving over 40,000 people. "Never in history has vaccine research progressed so quickly. We must apply the same urgency and innovation to ensure that all countries benefit from this scientific achievement," Tedros said, adding," I urge all countries to follow Thailand’s lead. No country can say it was well-enough prepared for COVID-19, or that it has no lessons to learn." "Never in history has vaccine research progressed so quickly. We must apply the same urgency and innovation to ensuring that all countries benefit from this scientific achievement"-@DrTedros #ACTogether #WHA73 — World Health Organization (WHO) (@WHO) November 13, 2020 × Pfizer's potential coronavirus vaccine is likely to be a two-dose treatment as the world impatiently awaits a cure for the virus which has already killed over 1.3 million people while infected over 52 million worldwide. "There is no doubt that a vaccine will be a vital tool for controlling the #COVID19 pandemic, and we’re encouraged by the preliminary results of clinical trials released this week"-@DrTedros #ACTogether #WHA73 — World Health Organization (WHO) (@WHO) November 13, 2020 × "But we have a long way to go. The world cannot put all its eggs in one basket, and neglect the many other tools at our disposal that countries like Thailand have shown are effective for bringing this virus under control," the WHO chief asserted. "The virus itself has not changed significantly, and nor have the measures needed to stop it." However, Tedros reiterated that the World Health Assembly has at times been used for "political purposes that divide, rather than to focus on shared health challenges". "The COVID-19 pandemic has also shown that there is an urgent need for a globally agreed system for sharing pathogen materials and clinical samples, to facilitate the rapid development of medical countermeasures as global public goods," Tedros asserted.

'World cannot put all eggs in one basket': WHO chief Tedros 'encouraged' by coronavirus clinical trials

The US and Europe are in line to get the first doses of an experimental coronavirus vaccine after a partnership between Pfizer Inc. and BioNTech SE delivered dazzling preliminary results in a large patient trial.

Countries queue for Pfizer's COVID-19 vaccine

U.S. infectious disease expert Anthony Fauci said on Thursday vaccine developers should push to make billions of their COVID-19 vaccines to ensure access to all parts of the world, instead of focusing on the rich countries.

Fauci hopeful about the prospects for a successful COVID-19 vaccine

Pfizer says its vaccine for the Wuhan virus is more than 90% effective. Is the wait for vaccines now finally over? Will you be able to get a shot soon? Is the Pfizer vaccine safe? WION's Palki Sharma tells you all that you need to know.

Gravitas: Pfizer vaccine is 90% effective: All you need to know

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