Biden welcomes Pfizer coronavirus vaccine news, says safety measures still needed

FILE PHOTO: President-elect Joe Biden points a finger at his election rally in Wilmington, Delaware, November 7. REUTERS/Kevin Lamarque/File Photo

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - U.S. president-elect Joe Biden greeted Pfizer Inc's experimental COVID-19 vaccine as excellent news on Monday, but warned that widespread vaccination remains months away and Americans need to continue wearing masks and maintain social distancing.

"Today’s news is great news, but it doesn't change that fact," Biden said in a statement. "Today's announcement promises the chance to change that next year, but the tasks before us now remain the same."