Pfizer's Coronavirus Vaccine Shows Over 90% Efficacy in Interim Results

Strategic Insights -

The announcement of interim results of Pfizer's new coronavirus vaccine sparked tears of joy and excitement among employees, with the company's chief scientific officer, Mikael Dolsten, describing the moment as "historic". According to Dolsten, preliminary analysis has found the vaccine to be more than 90% effective in preventing people from developing Covid-19. The vaccine has been tested on 43,500 people in six countries, with no safety concerns raised.

The announcement comes as the UK has secured access to 40 million doses of the Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine, with 10 million doses expected to be distributed by the end of the year if it is approved. However, the clinical trials are interim results which have not yet been peer-reviewed, and the vaccine has not yet received regulatory approval.

Key Takeaways:

  • The Pfizer coronavirus vaccine has shown over 90% efficacy in preliminary analysis, with no safety concerns raised in the clinical trials.
  • The vaccine has been tested on 43,500 people in six countries, with a total of 40 million doses secured by the UK.
  • 10 million doses of the vaccine are expected to be distributed in the UK by the end of the year, subject to regulatory approval.
  • The interim results are based on clinical trials that have not yet been peer-reviewed.
  • The vaccine requires two doses, with a gap of between 21 and 28 days between doses, and a response expected two weeks later.
  • Partial protection is expected after a first dose, but full protection is not guaranteed until the second dose has taken effect.

Statistics:

  • 43,500 people have been tested in the clinical trials for the Pfizer coronavirus vaccine.
  • 40 million doses of the vaccine have been secured by the UK.
  • 10 million doses of the vaccine are expected to be distributed in the UK by the end of the year, subject to regulatory approval.
  • 21 to 28 days is the gap between doses required for full protection.
  • Two weeks is the time expected for a response after the second dose.
  • Over 90% efficacy has been achieved in preliminary analysis.

Sources:

  • BBC News: Interview with Mikael Dolsten, Chief Scientific Officer, Pfizer.
  • The Times: "UK launches cyber operation to disrupt disinformation around vaccines".
  • BBC News: Interview with David Nabarro, co-director of Imperial College London's Institute of Global Health Innovation.
  • BBC News: Interview with Professor Jonathan Van-Tam.