FDA says it ‘will rapidly work toward’ approval of Pfizer-BioNTech coronavirus vaccine

The Food and Drug Administration said early Friday that it “will rapidly work toward” authorization of the Pfizer-BioNTech coronavirus vaccine on an emergency basis, an action that would kick off an unprecedented effort to inoculate enough Americans to stop a rampaging pandemic.

The FDA statement, which came hours after federal advisers endorsed the vaccine, added that the agency has also notified the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and Operation Warp Speed, “so they can execute their plans for timely vaccine distribution.”

But the prospect of relief from the coronavirus...