Yet More Good Vaccine News

Just two days ago, I reported that Pfizer’s interim data analysis indicated that its vaccine is 90% effective and safe. Not to be outdone, yesterday, the US biotech company, Moderna, also announced that interim data analysis show that its vaccine candidate is 94.5% effective and safe. The preliminary data analysis from more than 30,000 subjects showed that Moderna’s vaccine prevented almost all symptomatic cases of COVID-19. Only five vaccine recipients became sick and those displayed mild symptoms. In contrast, almost 100 study volunteers who received placebo came down with COVID-19 and a dozen required hospitalization. The results were highly significant (p<0.0001). The study was conducted along with NIH and the Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority (BARDA) as part of Trump’s Operation Warp Speed.

Both studies will continue for a couple more months, primarily collecting more safety data needed for final FDA approval. Moderna expects to get Emergency Use Authorization from the FDA by early December and begin immunizations by the end of December, a nice Christmas present to the world.

Both, the Pfizer and Moderna shots are RNA vaccines and if approved, will represent the first vaccines of this type. However, Moderna’s vax comes with a decided advantage. As I explained earlier, the Pfizer vaccine needs to be stored at ultra-cold temperatures, which no other vaccine needs. Since ultra-cold freezers often are not available in poorer countries, or even in doctors’  offices and clinics, this presents a logistical problem in safely distributing it. In contrast, the Moderna vaccine can be safely stored in any home style freezer and kept unfrozen up to 30 days in a refrigerator. Pfizer’s vaccine can only be kept up to five days in a fridge.

Just keep it away from the beer....