German officials have been especially vocal that they want it approved before Christmas. Share Via Email | A+A A- A nurse holds a phial of the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine at Guy's Hospital in London. (Photo | AP) By Associated Press AMSTERDAM: As Canadians, Britons and Americans begin getting immunized with a German-developed vaccine against coronavirus, pressure is building on the European Medicines Agency to approve the shot made by Pfizer Inc. and the German company BioNTech. German officials have been especially vocal that they want it approved before Christmas. Here's a look at the EMA approval process: WHAT IS THE EUROPEAN MEDICINES AGENCY?