Pfizer Announces Effectiveness of Possible Vaccine Candidate

COVID-19’s Molecular Biological Structure (NPQ)

Pfizer and BioNTech announced success in a Phase 3 study regarding development of a potential vaccine for COVID-19 on November 9. Using mRNA technology, the vaccine uses genetic material to cause the body to create proteins from the virus and the immune system can effectively tag the virus to attack it. The COVID-19 pandemic’s toll on the world has been devastating, and the vaccine’s proven 90 percent effectiveness rate provides some hope for eventually preventing the further spread of the virus. 

Phase 1 of the creation of a vaccine began in March, and now researchers hope to acquire more data by the third week of November 2020. At this time, patients participating in the study will be observed for two months after their first vaccine dosage, which would serve as ample time to start filing for authorization to distribute the vaccine. Pfizer plans to test the vaccine first in the United States and to stay in alignment with the Food and Drug Administration throughout the whole process. 

While there is widespread optimism about the vaccine within Pfizer, there has also been pushback. Pfizer’s senior vice president, William Gruber, notes, “I’ve been in vaccine development for 35 years and I’ve seen some really good things. This is extraordinary. This really bodes well for us being able to get a handle on the epidemic and get us out of this situation.” However, Michael Osterholm, director of the University of Minnesota’s Center for Infectious Diseases Research and Policy, responded, “I don’t want to dampen any enthusiasm for this vaccine. I just want us to be realistic. For a vaccine to really have maximal impact, it’s going to have to also reduce severe illness and death. And we just don’t know yet.” A large concern shared by comparable pharmaceutical companies with the vaccine is that it has only been tested for a couple of months, rather than most vaccines, which have trials that can last a couple of years or more. 

Despite both growing optimism and apparent criticism of Pfizer’s efforts, the major problem of distribution of the vaccine to the larger public remains an issue. Pfizer notes that “50 million doses could be available globally by the end of this year and 1.3 billion may be available in 2021.” However, there is uncertainty regarding these numbers. The vaccine has to be stored at extremely low temperatures, which can cause issues with the transportation of the vaccine and the ability of hospitals to store this vaccine. In addition, the sheer number of doses that need to be distributed is in the billions, and the order in which these vaccines are distributed is an important question. People with preexisting conditions are more at risk of dying from COVID-19, and hospital personnel working closely with COVID-19 patients will need to have access to the vaccine first. 

Beyond the vaccine, it is important to draw attention to alternative methods of preventing the spread of the virus. The CDC director says, “face masks may offer more protection than a vaccine, up to 70% percent.” In lieu of waiting for the vaccine to arrive, there are still precautionary measures the public should take, such as social distancing and wearing a mask in order to protect themselves and others from COVID-19.