Moderna's COVID-19 Vaccine Offers Nearly 95 Percent Protection

Early data from Moderna's late-stage clinical trial revealed that its COVID-19 vaccine gives nearly 95 percent protection against the infectious and deadly COVID-19.  

Pfizer earlier reported that its vaccine gives 90 percent protection against the COVID-19.

The pharmaceutical company also said it would be applying for an emergency use authorization to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) before the month ends. 

Read also: Moderna's COVID-19 Vaccine: Will it be Ready Soon? 

This time, Moderna announced that its vaccine offers nearly 95 percent protection based on the early data they have in the last stage of the human clinical trial, according to a published report in BBC News. Both Moderna and Pfizer used the same technology in developing the vaccine. 

Moderna is now planning to apply for approval or emergency use authorization in the U.S. FDA in the coming weeks. However, despite the promising results of the COVID-19 vaccines of Moderna and Pfizer, it is important to note that these are still early data and some key questions remain unanswered.  

Read also: Fauci Urges Continuing COVID-19 Measures Even if Vaccine is Already Approved 

Both companies have different numbers of subjects, even if they used the same technology. Pfizer's last stage human clinical trial was participated by around 44,000 people in the U.S. and other countries, while Moderna was participated by 30,000 people.

The subjects or participants of Moderna were from the U.S., and half of them were given two doses of the vaccine four weeks apart. The other half were given a dummy injection that does not do anything. It is not clear who analyzed the data.

According to a published report, the analysis was based on the first 95 who developed COVID-19 symptoms. Of these numbers, five were vaccinated while the other 90 were given a dummy treatment.

Using this, the company said that its vaccine gives 94.5 percent or nearly 95 percent protection against the infectious and deadly COVID-19. 

Moderna also added that 11 subjects experienced severe COVID-19, but none of those who were immunized has shown severe symptoms. Tal Zaks, the chief medical officer at Moderna, said: "The overall effectiveness has been remarkable... it's a great day."

Dr. Stephen Hoge, the company's president, also said that he "grinned ear to ear for a minute."

He added that he didn't expect and "don't think any of us really hoped that the vaccine would be 94% effective at preventing COVID-19 disease, that was really a stunning realization."

This is a great development, and it could soon help end the pandemic. Many countries today are now planning to purchase either the vaccine of Pfizer or Moderna.

While Moderna said that it plans to apply to the health regulators in the U.S. in the coming weeks, the company also said that it would produce 20 million doses for the residents in the country. 

The American biotechnology firm also confirmed that they also intend to seek approval from other countries, and they plan to produce one billion doses available for use around the world next year. These developments now give everyone hope that the pandemic will soon come to its end.