On Monday Pfizer announced that its vaccine trials to prevent COVID-19 were effective among 90% of previously uninfected people. According to the pharmaceutical giant it also did not produce any serious concerns.
If these results are correct, it could potentially be a big breakthrough in containing the pandemic which has been spreading at a huge rate across the United States post election. Pfizer said that it will ask the FDA for emergency authorization before the end of November.
Independent scientists recommend caution as early results should not be hyped before collecting sufficient data on its efficacy and long term safety. There is also no term fixed to predict how long the vaccine may protect an individual.
Pfizer along with BioNtech are the first ones who have delivered positive results. These result were submitted as a press release and not as part of a peer-reviewed journal. The 90 percent efficacy could change as the trial continues.
Some scientists are pleased at the speed of progress of this vaccine. Dr. Katherine Jansen, a senior vice president and the head of vaccine and research in Pfizer said, “It is a historic moment.”
Other scientists would like to receive more information and data. Jesse Goodman, a professor of medicine and infectious diseases at Georgetown University said, “We need to see the actual data and we’re going to need long term results.”
