According to early data released by the company, Moderna’s vaccine is 94.5 percent effective against coronavirus. It is the second vaccine in the US that has shown a high success rate as Pfizer had released early data about the efficacy of its coronavirus vaccine earlier this month.

“These are obviously very exciting results,” said Dr. Anthony Fauci, the nation’s top infectious diseases’ doctor. “It’s just as good as it gets – – 94.5% is truly outstanding.”

Moderna heard these outstanding results on Sunday afternoon on a call with members of the Data Safety and Monitoring Board. These members are an independent panel analyzing Moderna’s clinical trial data. It will apply to the US FDA for authorization, after gathering more safety data before the end of the month.

Fauci also said that vaccinations could begin in the second half of December for high risk groups. The rest of the population could get the vaccine by Spring 2021.

Both the vaccines show similar results as they use the same mechanism to activate the immune system in our bodies. While both Pfizer’s and Moderna’s vaccine are similar in safety and efficacy, Moderna’s vaccine has a few practical advantages over Pfizer’s vaccine.

Moderna’s vaccine can be stored at minus 20 degrees Celsius, the same temperature required for the chickenpox vaccine unlike Pfizer’s which needs a temperature of minus 90. It can be stored for 30 days in the refrigerator unlike Pfizer’s which can be kept for 5 days.

Source CNN Health