Pfizer coronavirus vaccine receives emergency use approval by US Food and Drug Administration

A panel of outside advisers to the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has voted overwhelmingly to endorse emergency use of Pfizer’s coronavirus vaccine, paving the way for the agency to authorise the shot for a nation that has lost more than 285,000 lives to COVID-19.

Shots could begin within days, depending on how quickly the FDA signs off — as expected — on the expert committee’s recommendation.

In a 17-4 vote with one abstention, the government advisers concluded the vaccine from Pfizer and its German partner BioNTech appeared safe and effective for emergency use in adults and teenagers 16 and older.

The FDA typically follows the advice of its expert panels but is not bound to do so.

The endorsement came despite questions about…