Germany demands EU approval of vaccine before Christmas

Italy, where Europe’s coronavirus outbreak erupted in February and which now leads the continent in the Covid-19 death count, is also pressing for a safe, accelerated approval process.

BioNTech’s HQ in Mainz (Arne Dedert/dpa/AP)

Germany has increased the pressure on the European Union’s regulatory agency to approve a coronavirus vaccine before Christmas.

Health Minister Jens Spahn, other politicians and a hospital association have all made the demand.