And, on Monday (November 23), President-Elect Joe Biden was finally given the official go-ahead to begin his transition.
In response, global markets were up early Tuesday (November 24).
MSCI's broadest index of Asia-Pacific shares outside Japan were up almost 0.20% in afternoon trade.
Japan's Nikkei jumped around 2.50% - helping the index reach its highest point in close to 30 years.
Energy, real estate and financial shares led the advance there.
Monday's announcement by drugmaker AstraZeneca that its vaccine could be 90% effective helped give investors more risk appetite.
The hope being that the British company's vaccine - which is cheaper and easier to distribute than treatments offered by its rivals - and could help drive a quicker recovery of the global economy.
It helped Wall Street over night, as well as President Trump indicating he would move forward with a transition to a Biden government.
U.S. stocks also saw a boost after reports emerged Biden plans to nominate former chair of the Federal Reserve Janet Yellen as Treasury Secretary.
Europe followed the positive outlook elsewhere.
The pan-European STOXX 600 rose in early trade - as travel stocks gained and crude oil prices hit their highest since March.
France reported its lowest daily tally of virus infections since late September on Monday.
Investors will now focus on a speech by President Emmanuel Macron later in the day when he may announce a relaxation of lockdown rules.
Germany's DAX was also slightly up.
Data showed Europe's largest economy grew by a record 8.5% in the third quarter.
