Brazil approves definitive use of Pfizer virus vaccine

By Beyza Binnur Donmez

ANKARA (AA) - Brazil’s health regulator, Anvisa, approved a definitive use of the coronavirus vaccine Tuesday developed by Pfizer and BioNTech.

The decision came more than two weeks after Pfizer applied to Anvisa for permission on Feb 6.

"The immunizer from the Pfizer/BioNTech Laboratory had its safety, quality and efficacy, assessed and certified by the technical team of Anvisa that continues its work to protect the health of the Brazilian citizens," Anvisa said in a statement.

The Chinese CoronaVac and Oxford's AstraZeneca from the UK are among vaccines that have emergency use authorization in Brazil.

The South American nation is the worst-hit by the pandemic on the continent and has the third-highest case tally globally, according to US-based Johns Hopkins University.

It has recorded nearly 10.2 million infections and fatalities near 250,000.