Moderna Covid-19 Vaccine Shows 94.5% Efficacy in Late-Stage Trials
Moderna reports that its two-dose coronavirus vaccine demonstrates a 94.5% effectiveness rate in preventing Covid-19. The promising results follow a similar announcement from Pfizer as regulators prepare for fast-tracked emergency approvals.
Moderna releases preliminary phase three trial data showing its coronavirus vaccine is more than 94% effective in preventing Covid-19. The analysis evaluates 95 confirmed infections among 30,000 participants, revealing only five cases in the vaccinated group compared to 90 cases in the placebo group. Moderna CEO Stephane Bancel calls this milestone a "game changer" and a "pivotal moment" in the fight against the global pandemic.
This announcement closely follows similar positive results from Pfizer's late-stage trial as pharmaceutical companies race to curb a virus that infects over 54.4 million people worldwide. Health and Human Services Secretary Alex Azar states that the FDA plans to move as quickly as possible to clear both Moderna and Pfizer's vaccines for emergency use. The encouraging news causes Moderna's shares to jump more than 12% in premarket trading.
The Cambridge, Massachusetts-based company reports no significant safety concerns, noting the vaccine is generally safe and well tolerated. Most adverse events are mild or moderate, with side effects including pain at the injection site, fatigue, muscle pain, and headaches after the second dose. Bancel emphasizes that the vaccine successfully prevents Covid-19 disease, including severe cases, marking the first clinical validation of their efforts since early January.