Biden congratulates Pfizer for COVID-19 vaccine progress as Pence gives credit to Trump

United States President-elect Joe Biden on vember 9 hailed American pharmaceutical company Pfizer's COVID-19 vaccine progress as he congratulated "women and men" who helped produce breakthrough. Pfizer, which is developing an mRNA-based vaccine with German firm BioNTech, on Monday anunced ir candidate to be more than 90% effective in preventing COVID-19 in participants. 

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'Excellent news' 

Biden issued a statement on what he dubbed "excellent news", however, he also warned American people to wear face masks because even if a vaccine is approved by end of this year, mass vaccination will still be months away. "This is why he of CDC warned this fall that for foreseeable future, a mask remains a more potent weapon against virus than vaccine. Today's news does t change this urgent reality," Biden said in his statement.

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Meanwhile, White House is trying very hard to take credit for development as Vice-President Mike Pence immediately after news broke out held a meeting with COVID-19 Task Force and credited incumbent President Donald Trump for progress. 45th took to Twitter to celebrate anuncement of vaccine and gains in stock market as he tweeted in all caps, "STOCK MARKET UP BIG, VACCINE COMING SOON. REPORT 90% EFFECTIVE. SUCH GREAT NEWS!" 

Trump has also accused Pfizer and United States Food and Drug ministration (FDA) of delaying vaccine until after election in order to ensure he doesn't get a "vaccine win" prior to polls. 

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United States is currently worst affected country in world with over 2,30,000 COVID-19 deaths and nearly 10 million cases. A vaccine by end of 2020 would be great news for country, however, it will still take many more months to vaccinate a large chunk of population, which is required to bring disease under control. President-elect Joe Biden has formed a COVID-19 visory board and has said that he will be working with team to decide way forward. 

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