Biontech and Pfizer
Syringes are seen in front of displayed Biontech and Pfizer logos in this illustration taken November 10, 2020. Image Credit: Reuters

Dubai: Health authorities in Saudi Arabia have registered the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine for import and use in the country, state news agency SPA said on Thursday.

In a statement carried by the Saudi Press Agency, the SFDA said the authority’s 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.