Pfizer, an American pharmaceutical company, has announced that its current candidate for a Covid-19 vaccine has an efficacy rate of over 90% in preventing the spread of the virus.
The mRNA-based trial vaccine was developed by Pfizer and BioNTech, a German biotechnology company. After Pfizer announced the efficacy of the trial vaccine, which has had thousands of participants in its clinical study, stocks soared and the Dow jumped over 1,000 points, according to CNN.
“It’s important to note that we cannot apply for FDA Emergency Use Authorization based on these efficacy results alone. More data on safety is also needed, and we are continuing to accumulate that safety data as part of our ongoing clinical study,” said Albert Bourla, the CEO of Pfizer.
Today is a great day for both science and humanity, as the first set of results from our Phase 3 COVID-19 vaccine trial provides compelling evidence of our vaccine’s ability to help prevent COVID-19. https://t.co/UjcoSD75tT
— AlbertBourla (@AlbertBourla) November 9, 2020
STOCK MARKET UP BIG, VACCINE COMING SOON. REPORT 90% EFFECTIVE. SUCH GREAT NEWS!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) November 9, 2020
“The good news is the Pfizer tests look good and we’ll have a vaccine shortly. The bad news is it’s about two months before Joe Biden takes over, and that means this administration is going to be implementing a vaccine plan,” said New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo as he talked about the vaccine on ABC’s Good Morning America.
HUGE NEWS: Thanks to the public-private partnership forged by President @realDonaldTrump, @pfizer announced its Coronavirus Vaccine trial is EFFECTIVE, preventing infection in 90% of its volunteers.
— Mike Pence (@Mike_Pence) November 9, 2020
On social media, many attributed the vaccine’s success to collaboration with the federal government, with some citing President Donald Trump’s “Operation Warp Speed.” Pfizer did make an agreement with the federal government in July, but it was for distribution if the vaccine got approved by the FDA. If the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine gets approved, they will be paid $1.95 billion for 100 million doses, which will then be distributed to Americans for free.
“We were never part of the Warp Speed,” said Pfizer vice president Kathrin Jansen. “We have never taken any money from the U.S. government, or from anyone,” she stated, according to The Washington Post
The director-general of the World Health Organization commented on the potentially life-saving development on Twitter.
We welcome the encouraging vaccine news from @pfizer & @BioNTech_Group & salute all scientists & partners around the 🌍 who are developing new safe, efficacious tools to beat #COVID19. The 🌍 is experiencing unprecedented scientific innovation & collaboration to end the pandemic!
— Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus (@DrTedros) November 9, 2020
“We estimate that a median of two months of safety data following the second and final dose of the vaccine candidate – required by FDA’s guidance for potential Emergency Use Authorization – will be available by the third week of November,” said Bourla.
Gov. Tim Walz said it’s “OK to get a little excited” when addressing the announcement of the vaccine.
“The current federal government’s response, especially around vaccine distribution, I think has been fantastic,” he said during a Monday press conference.
Judah Torgerud
Judah Torgerud is a freelance journalist working with Alpha News to keep the people informed and bring the truth to light. Contact him at whqnu@nycunarjfza.pbz.
