Pfizer vaccine approved by FDA, shipping to start immediately

At first the vaccine will be made available on a per-needs basis, prioritizing people such as front-line workers and the medically vulnerable.

According to The New York Times, the US has become the sixth nation worldwide to approve the vaccine, joining a list of countries that includes Canada, Mexico, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain and the UK.

On Friday, the atmosphere was tense, as the White House threatened the job of FDA chief Dr. Stephen Hahn if he didn't approve the vaccine by the end of the day.

With the approval, Pfizer and related companies within its supply chain have kicked into high gear to get as many doses out to hospitals and other institutions, and then to the public as quickly as possible while still ensuring the quality and integrity of the vaccine.

Due to what has been dubbed "Operation Warp Speed", this vaccine has made it to the public in a record-breaking and shocking 11 months, as compared to the minimum of four years any vaccine has taken in the past.

Amazingly, and despite the short development cycle, the vaccine has been found to be 95 percent effective in clinical trails.

The vaccine is currently approved in the US for people 16 and older.

Despite it having been cleared for use in Canada, there is no word on when the first shipments of the vaccine may be coming.