News 18 November 2020
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Coronavirus: Pfizer Seeking Approval For Emergency Use Of Vaccine After Jab Is Found To Be 95% Effective

18 November 2020
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The coronavirus vaccine being developed by Pfizer and BioNTech has now proved to be 95% effective and has met the safety criteria needed for emergency authorisation, the firms have said.


Following news that the vaccine was 90% effective last week, more data has been released which suggests the vaccine works equally well with people of all ages, races and ethnicities. The jab also proved 94% effective among adults over the age of 65 – who are generally more vulnerable.


Pfizer and BioNTech have said there are no serious safety concerns related to the jab, but did report around 2% of the 43,000 volunteers given the vaccine did experience headaches and fatigue.

The companies are now seeking approval for emergency use of the vaccine in the U.S.

UK regulator, the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA), is reportedly preparing to fast-track authorisation of the vaccine after the government ordered 40 million doses which is enough for 20 million people.

Pfizer chairman and chief executive Dr Albert Bourla said: “The study results mark an important step in this historic eight-month journey to bring forward a vaccine capable of helping to end this devastating pandemic.

“We continue to move at the speed of science to compile all the data collected thus far and share with regulators around the world.”