Coronavirus: Covid-19 vaccine from Pfizer and BioNTech ‘90 per cent effective in preventing the disease’
A PHARMACEUTICAL giant has announced that its coronavirus vaccine was more than 90 per cent effective in preventing the virus among those without evidence of prior infection.
The results are based on the first interim analysis of Phase 3 of the study, and evaluated 94 confirmed cases of Covid-19 in trial participants.
The study enrolled 43,538 participants, with 42 per cent having diverse backgrounds, and no serious safety concerns have been observed, the companies report.
They add that safety and additional efficacy data continue to be collected.
The case split between vaccinated individuals and those who received the placebo indicates a vaccine efficacy rate above 90 per cent, at seven days after the second dose.
Researchers say this means that protection is achieved 28 days after the initiation of the vaccination, which consists of two doses.
However, they caution that as the study continues the final vaccine efficacy percentage may vary.
Dr Albert Bourla, Pfizer chairman and chief executive, said: ‘Today is a great day for science and humanity.
‘The first set of results from our Phase 3 Covid-19 vaccine trial provides the initial evidence of our vaccine’s ability to prevent Covid-19.’
He added: ‘We will continue to collect further data as the trial continues to enrol for a final analysis planned when a total of 164 confirmed Covid-19 cases have accrued.
‘I would like to thank everyone who has contributed to make this important achievement possible.’
On Twitter, The Times Whitehall Editor Chris Smyth tweeted: ‘UK has agreement to buy 40 million doses of Pfizer vaccine – including 10 million due by the end of the year if it is approved by regulators.’