An expert committee formed by US drug and administration recommended the Pfizer Covid vaccine for emergency use approval on Thursday. The committee was asked to vote in favour if they believed that the benefits of the vaccine outweigh its risk for individuals aged 16 and above. 17 members of the committee voted in favour of emergency use approval of the vaccine, while four members voted against it. There was one abstention as well.

The expert committee comprises independent experts and researchers, including infectious disease specialists, biostatisticians and other scientists. Although, the recommendation is not binding on FDA, it is expected to consider it in the coming days. United States is the worst affected country in the world due to coronavirus followed by India. It is important to note that the UK, Canada, Saudi Arabia and Bahrain have already approved the vaccine.

Although, many countries have authorised the Pfizer vaccine, safety concerns around it remain. Recently, four volunteers who were administered with it during the trial period developed a form of temporary facial paralysis, known as Bell’s palsy, according to US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) regulators. They said that it was not clear whether the condition was caused by the vaccine, but warned the doctors to watch out for the dangerous side effect. They also asked the vaccine manufacturer Pfizer to keep an eye on people who develop the condition. Bell Palsy causes temporary weakness or paralysis of the facial muscles. It is caused by swelling, inflammation or compression of the nerve which controls the muscles.

Also Read: Four volunteers develop facial paralysis symptoms after administration of Pfizer Covid vaccine

Meanwhile, Britain’s medicine regulator has adviced that those with  a history of anaphylaxis to a medicine or food should not get the vaccine administered. The warning was issued following  two reports of anaphylaxis and one report of a possible allergic reaction since the mass vaccination began in the UK.

Also Read: US FDA grants emergency use authorisation to Pfizer Covid vaccine, vaccination drive to begin within 24 hours

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