Vaccine ‘is 95% effective and safe’
THE coronavirus vaccine from Pfizer – which is due to arrive in the UK before the end of the year – is 95% effective, works in older people and has passed its safety checks, according to the firm.
The pharmaceutical giant and its partner Biontech said new figures from 170 participants in their clinical trial showed the jab was 95% effective in preventing Covid-19, with a 94% effectiveness in those aged 65 and over.
Of the 170 Covid-19 cases in the new analysis, 162 were observed in the placebo group versus eight in the vaccine group.
A good immune response was “consistent across age, gender, race and ethnicity demographics”, Pfizer said.
Of those taking part in the trial, 42% were from diverse ethnic backgrounds and 41% were aged between 56 and 85.
Older age groups are most at risk of serious illness from Covid-19.
In the new analysis, there were 10 severe cases of Covid-19, with nine in the placebo group and one in the vaccine group.
Scientists welcomed the results and said it was “excellent news” that the vaccine is 94% effective in older patients.
The vaccine has been tested on 43,500 people in six countries and no safety concerns have been raised, although around 2% of those given the jab suffered a headache and fatigue.
The UK has secured 40 million doses in total of the vaccine, with 10 million due in the country by the end of the year if the vaccine is approved.
People will need two doses, meaning not enough vaccine has been secured for the entire UK population.
Another jab, from US firm Moderna, was shown this week in early data to be almost 95% effective.
The UK has ordered five million doses of that jab, and also awaits the results of the
Oxford University and Astrazeneca vaccine study – which is due to report soon.
Changes to the Human Medicine Regulations announced in October will allow the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) to authorise temporary supply of vaccines, if one becomes available before 2021.
This means that if a vaccine is found to meet the safety, quality and effectiveness standards by the MHRA then vaccinations can begin without needing to wait for the European Medicines Agency.
The Health Secretary Matt Hancock has said the NHS will be ready by December 1 to roll out vaccines and that the MHRA could approve a jab “within days” of a licence application.
A Government spokeswoman said: “Pfizer’s latest announcement is encouraging news and we are working to understand what it means for the UK. Thanks to the work of our vaccine taskforce we have preordered 40 million doses.”
Pfizer chief executive Albert Bourla said on Tuesday the firm is preparing to file for emergency use authorisation within days from the US Food and Drug Administration.