The Latest: FDA posts early positive review of Pfizer data

WASHINGTON — U.S. health regulators say in their initial review that the vaccine from Pfizer is 95% protective against COVID-19.

The review posted online Tuesday by the Food and Drug Administration offers the world the first detailed look at the evidence behind the shot, which was co-developed with BioNTech.

The FDA review comes before a Thursday meeting where a panel of independent experts will scrutinize the data and vote on whether to recommend use of the vaccine. The vote isn’t binding but the FDA usually follows the group’s guidance. A U.S. decision to allow use of the vaccine is expected within days.

If given the green light, the first recipients would be health care workers and nursing home residents, according to plans laid out by each state.

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THE VIRUS OUTBREAK:

— Britain is rolling out COVID-19 vaccine shots to the elderly and medical workers as world watches

—U.S. passed up chance to lock in more Pfizer vaccine doses

— Millions of hungry Americans turn to food banks for the first time

— Biden’s health team offers glimpse of his COVID-19 strategy

— Years of research laid groundwork for speedy COVID-19 shots

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Follow AP’s coverage at https://apnews.com/hub/coronavirus-pandemic and https://apnews.com/UnderstandingtheOutbreak

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HERE’S WHAT ELSE IS HAPPENING:

LANSING, Mich. — Nonpublic schools sued after Gov. Gretchen Whitmer’s administration extended a coronavirus order that prevents in-person instruction at Michigan high schools, saying it violates the First Amendment right to practice religion.

The federal lawsuit, filed in...