Coronavirus live news: Poland exceeds 1m cases; Germany inches towards tougher lockdown ed.2
Poland grapples with shortage of doctors; German states heading for stricter measures; Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine approved in UKBeware fake coronavirus vaccines, says InterpolRural US hospitals ravaged by surge in casesUS braces for Covid surge after Thanksgiving holidaysJohnson suffers biggest Commons revolt as MPs back tougher Covid tiersUK coronavirus updates - live 1.13pm GMT Germany has opted for a longer procedure to approve Covid-19 vaccines than the emergency process chosen by Britain for the shot developed by Pfizer and BioNTech, because it wanted to increase confidence in vaccines, the country's health minister said.“We have member states, including Germany, who could have issued such an emergency authorisation if we'd wanted to. But we decided against this and what we opted for was a common European approach to move forward together,†Jens Spahn said when asked about the British emergency procedure for Pfizer vaccine. 1.12pm GMT The EU has urged countries to reinforce their healthcare systems and coordinate restrictions on social gatherings ahead of the Christmas holiday season, to avoid a resurgence of Covid-19 cases.After a surge of cases in October and November, many European countries have reined in infections by imposing stricter lockdowns and social restrictions.
