Saudi Gazette report

RIYADH — Saudi Food and Drug Authority (SFDA) said on Thursday it has registered the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine in the Kingdom for import and use in the country following a request from the producer.

In a statement carried by the Saudi Press Agency, the SFDA said the authority’s nod for registering the vaccine was based on the data provided by Pfizer on Nov. 24, 2020.

As soon as the requirements were completed, the authority began reviewing and evaluating the registration files, the statement read.

The authority also said that concerned health authorities will now start the import procedures according to global standards and requirements.

The authority will analyze samples from each incoming vaccine shipment before using it to ensure its quality.

The Ministry of Health will announce the date of the vaccine's arrival and its administration after completing import requirements, the statement added.