During Monday's press conference, the European Medicines Agency (EMA) announced that they approve the Pfizer / Biontech vaccine against covid-19.

The next step in the decision-making process is an approval from, which is expected to take place on Wednesday. 

- This is truly a historical scientific achievement.

In less than a year, a vaccine against a new disease has been developed and authorized, says Emer Cooke, head of EMA.

Sweden's vaccine coordinator Richard Bergström agrees that it is a great achievement.

- This is very good news.

It is the first covid-19 vaccine to be approved in the EU and also for Sweden.

It's a big day.

Hard pressure from the member states

In the United States and the United Kingdom, vaccinations against covid-19 are already in full swing.

Hundreds of millions of Europeans, on the other hand, have had to wait.

Following strong pressure from several member states, the EMA announced last week that the decision would be brought forward.

Bergström further explains that the process took a little longer for the EU than for the US and the UK for all 27 member countries to feel involved.

- It has been important that all the 300-400 experts who have been involved have felt comfortable, he says.

The European Commission's decision is expected on Wednesday.

Something that is more of a formality according to Bergström.

- Normally, it takes a month for the Commission with the Member States in this process to approve.

Now you have miraculously realized that you can do this in one day by preparing.

It is interesting that everyone has had to review their administrative routines.

Sweden is expected to receive 90,000 doses

SVT Nyheter has previously reported on the preliminary vaccine plan for Sweden.

If all goes well, a total of 90,000 doses are expected to come in between days.

A central warehouse has been procured and the National Board of Health and Welfare has been commissioned to buy freezers that can handle minus 70 degrees.

To begin with, the EU countries, including Sweden, will receive a symbolic amount of the vaccine on 26 December.

After that, it will be replenished with the remaining 80,000 doses of Pfizer's vaccine a week, starting on 28 December, for Sweden.