Kathmandu. A senior US infection expert has expressed full confidence in the British process, correcting his earlier comment that the UK had allowed the launch of the coronavirus vaccine in a hurry. Anthony Fauci, a senior infectious disease specialist in the United States, later apologized for the remarks.

The United Kingdom (UK) was the first country to allow the use of the coronavirus vaccine, developed by American company Pfizer and German company BioNTech. They had given permission following a very quick process.

In an article in BBC, Fauci said, “I have a great deal of confidence in what the UK does both scientifically and from a regulator standpoint.” He added that the approval of US Food and Drug Administration is slow which is ‘gold standard’, clarifying that US does “things a little differently” than the UK. “That’s all. Not better, not worse, just differently.”

Fauci said the US process would take some time. The US Food and Drug Administration has called a meeting on December 10 to discuss the approval of the Pfizer vaccine. A meeting also has been announced for December 17 to discuss Moderna’s vaccine approval.

Meanwhile, in the midst of a debate over its permitting process, the UK defended its system, reiterating that the Pfizer vaccine was safe and effective. Dr June Raine, head of the UK’s medicines regulator, said ‘no corners had been cut’ in making the vaccine.