BREAKING: Pfizer to apply for emergency authorization from the FDA for its COVID-19 vaccine TODAY

Pfizer Inc will apply for emergency use authorization of its COVID-19 vaccine with the Food and Drug Administration today - a major step toward providing protection against the coronavirus for pandemic-weary Americans.

The application to the FDA comes just days after Pfizer and German partner BioNTech SE reported final trial results that showed the vaccine was 95 percent effective in preventing COVID-19 with no major safety concerns.

'Our work to deliver a safe and effective vaccine has never been more urgent, as we continue to see an alarming rise in the number of cases of COVID-19 globally. Filing in the U.S. represents a critical milestone in our journey to deliver a COVID-19 vaccine to the world and we now have a more complete picture of both the efficacy and safety profile of our vaccine, giving us confidence in its potential,' said Dr. Albert Bourla, Pfizer Chairman and CEO. 

'We look forward to the upcoming Vaccines and Related Biological Products Advisory Committee discussion and continue to work closely with the FDA and regulatory authorities worldwide to secure authorization of our vaccine candidate as quickly as possible.' 

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Pfizer Inc will apply for emergency use authorization of its COVID-19 vaccine with the Food and Drug Administration today - a major step toward providing protection against the coronavirus for pandemic-weary Americans

The drugmaker, which developed its vaccine with German partner BioNTech SE, revealed on Wednesday that final tests revealed its shot was 95 percent effective. 

Rival US company Moderna on Monday released preliminary data showing its own vaccine was 94.5 percent effective.  

The better-than-expected data from the two vaccines, both developed with new technology known as messenger RNA (mRNA), have raised hopes for an end to a resurgent pandemic that has killed more than 248,000 Americans and wreaked havoc upon economies and daily life.

Officials have said they hope to have about 20 million vaccine doses each from Moderna and Pfizer available for distribution in late December. 

The first shots will be offered to vulnerable groups like medical and nursing home workers, and people with serious health conditions. 

An expert panel advising the CDC is meeting next week to determine the order of priority for vaccines distribution.  

It will be months, however, before large-scale roll-outs begin.

Following the completion of its trial, Pfizer said only eight people out more than 20,000 who got the vaccine caught coronavirus in the study, compared to 162 who were given a fake jab. A total of 10 people got severe COVID-19, one of whom had been given the real vaccine.  

The company said that efficacy of its vaccine was consistent across age and ethnicity demographics and that there were no major side effects, which is a sign that the immunization could be employed broadly around the world. 

Efficacy in adults over 65 years, who are at particular risk from the virus, was over 94 percent.