In a statement, Germany's 16 state-level health ministers said Spahn had announced “the expected approval and supply of the BioNTech vaccine” next week, with distribution beginning shortly before year's end.

As Germany holds the EU's rotating presidency, that could mean December 27th will be the start date for all member countries.

Chancellor Angela Merkel wants to hold a discussion with BioNTech founders Ugur Sahin and Özlem Türeci in a video conference on Thursday. Health Minister Spahn and Research Minister Anja Karliczek are also to take part.

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Once the vaccine is approved by the EU, Germany's vaccine batches will also be examined by the federal government's Paul Ehrlich Institute.

Also Wednesday. French Prime Minister Jean Castex said that France could begin vaccinations “in the last week of December” if “all conditions are met”.

And European Commission chief Ursula von der Leyen said that all the bloc's countries could begin on the same day once the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine is approved.

The Commission will make the final call on authorisation once the European Medicines Agency (EMA) has issued its final verdict — now expected on December 21st after the timetable was moved up a week.

But several days could pass between the EMA ruling and the Commission's green light, as Brussels must first consult with member states.

Castex said that between now and February, France will take delivery of some 3.5 million doses, enough to cover around 1.7 million people, and will also prioritise the elderly, the vulnerable and carers.

Covid vaccines are administered in two doses over several weeks.

Pfizer-BioNTech's jab has already been approved in several western countries, with Britain and the US administering the first inoculations in recent days.

Some other states around the world have also waved it through, including Mexico and Saudi Arabia.