FDA has authorized the first COVID-19 vaccine [Updated]

Today's achievement is ultimately a testament to the commitment of our career scientists and physicians, who worked tirelessly to thoroughly evaluate the data and information for this vaccine."Immediately after the agency announced the authorization, President Trump released a video message touting the achievement.Distribution of the vaccine is expected to begin in the coming days.Original story 4:27pm EST:The US Food and Drug Administration may finalize authorization for the first COVID-19 vaccine later today, Friday, which would accelerate an already breakneck regulatory pace in the wake of intense pressure and threats from the Trump Administration.According to multiple reports, the FDA was expecting to finalize the Emergency Use Authorization for the two-dose Pfizer/BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine early Saturday. That final sign off would land less than 48 hours after the agency's independent advisory committee endorsed granting the EUA in a vote late Thursday of 17 to 4, with one abstention.Earlier this week, the FDA released a briefing of its own review of the Pfizer/BioNTech mRNA vaccine, finding it "highly effective" and with a "favorable safety profile."In a joint, early-morning statement today, FDA commissioner Stephen Hahn and Peter Marks, director of the FDA's Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research, said the finalized EUA was imminent.