美 화이자 백신 긴급사용 사실상 승인... 韓 아스트라제네카 백신 "도입 차질 우려할 상황 아냐"

In the U.S., which has by far the highest number of COVID-19 cases in the world, advisors to the FDA have recommended that the Pfizer vaccine be authorized for emergency use.
Doses are reportedly ready to be shipped if it gets final approval this weekend.
Choi Won-jong has more.
After an eight-hour discussion about the safety and efficacy of the Pfizer vaccine, an outside panel advising the U.S. Food and Drug Administration endorsed the vaccine for emergency use.
The committee voted 17 to 4... to recommend the shot for people 16 and older.
Now it will be reviewed by a committee this Sunday at the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
According to the CDC website, they will make a final decision in a virtual meeting on whether the Pfizer vaccine is ready to roll out in the coming weeks.
In South Korea, the health authorities are working to secure vaccines as soon as possible.
They've signed deals with several vaccine developers, including the British company AstraZeneca.
But there's been talk about the AstraZeneca vaccine facing delays in South Korea... because, according to the New York Times,... the U.S. FDA is not satisfied with the proof provided from its trials.
Others say that won't be a problem.
"South Korea has already signed a contract with AstraZeneca, so it seems certain that the vaccine will be manufactured and used in South Korea as planned. "
The U.S. FDA will also be reviewing the vaccine made by Moderna... next Thursday.
South Korea has signed a deal with Moderna too... and overall plans to secure enough vaccines for around 44 million people.
It plans to start vaccinations by March at the latest.
Choi Won-jong, Arirang News.