The data was literally just released.

Moderna and Pfizer submitted for approval shortly after they released their initial Phase 3 results. Approval is expected to be expedited, but will not be instant (I've read a few weeks, assuming no problems). Oxford/AstraZeneca will likely follow the same course now that their results are available (they were waiting for enough people in their trials to become infected, same as the other Phase 3 trials).

It is widely expected that large scale distribution of these vaccines will begin in late December.

Wait, so was the data just released or has the scientific community had enough time to analyze these results and determine that the vaccine is safe?

Is this some attempt at a "gotcha"? It's all over the news, I'm sure you can Google it. CDC Director just said first vaccines should got out second week of December.