The head of the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is willing to fast-track a Covid-19 vaccine as quickly as possible, the Financial Times reported him as saying in an interview.

Dr Stephen Hahn, the FDA Commissioner, said his agency was prepared to authorise a vaccine before Phase 3 clinical trials were complete, as long as officials are convinced that the benefits outweigh the risks, the newspaper reported, according to Reuters.

“Our emergency use authorisation is not the same as a full approval,” Hahn told the FT, adding that his decisions will not be made because of political pressure.

"This is going to be a science, medicine, data decision. This is not going to be a political decision."