The government will begin the review of the COVID-19 vaccine made by Pfizer next week, with the aim to approve the use of the vaccine by the first week of March. 

The Ministry of Food and Drug Safety said on Thursday that the vaccine will go through three rounds of review from outside experts including an advisory panel. Pfizer Korea filed for authorization on January 25. 

The ministry said earlier that it would reduce its vaccine review period from six months to less than 40 days. 

A ministry official also said that the approval of the Pfizer vaccine will likely come in the first week of next month.