Vaccine Update: 94.5% Efficacy Reported in Moderna Covid-19 Trial

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The American biotechnology company has announced that its vaccine against Covid-19 is 94.5% effective.

Hope for a breakthrough in the global battle against the pandemic continues to shape the conversation about the coronavirus. As the search for a vaccine intensifies, several pharmaceutical companies are racing to deliver a tool that could help curb the crisis.

Following Pfizer’s initial milestone of reaching a 90% efficacy in early trials, Moderna has now reported a 94.5% effectiveness for its Covid-19 vaccine in a large-scale study.

The U.S. firm disclosed this result through a press release detailing a trial that enrolled more than 30,000 participants, split evenly between vaccine recipients and a placebo. Notably, about 7,000 participants were aged 65 and older, while 5,000 were younger adults with chronic conditions that elevate risk for severe Covid-19. In total, roughly 42% of the study population fell into a higher-risk category.

When will it be available, how much will it cost and how and where to get it

Health authorities in Spain have sketched a vaccination timeline, with initial doses anticipated as soon as late December. The plan calls for weekly shipments to be distributed fairly across autonomous communities and administered according to a national strategy. Officials emphasize that vaccination marks a turning point in the fight against the pandemic, but continued vigilance and responsible behavior will still be needed.

The vaccine regimen consists of two doses given 28 days apart and is estimated to cost around $25 per person, subject to exchange rates and local policies.

Industry leaders offer a confident outlook. One executive described the vaccine as a critical tool capable of stopping Covid-19 transmission, while analysts project large-scale distribution within the United States and globally within the coming year.

Current projections suggest tens of millions of doses could be ready for distribution in the United States, with billions expected worldwide as manufacturing scales up and supply chains stabilize. The industry notes a typical set of short-term side effects associated with vaccines, including injection-site pain, fatigue, joint pain, and headaches. These reactions are commonly experienced with vaccines that target respiratory viruses and are generally manageable with standard care.

Storage and handling are central to distribution plans. The vaccine is believed to be stable in typical cold-chain conditions, with some formulations requiring freezer storage. This compatibility with existing cold-chain infrastructure is crucial for broad access across diverse settings.

Several other programs are advancing in parallel. Trials and early results come from multiple countries and institutions, reflecting a broad global effort to identify effective vaccines. Researchers emphasize the importance of robust safety monitoring and transparent reporting as trials progress. In particular, international collaboration and timely data sharing have helped accelerate development while maintaining rigorous standards. While some teams reported pauses or adjustments during testing, the overall trajectory points toward a continuing, cautious advance toward widespread vaccination.

As the science community advances, public health authorities stress that a vaccine is one component of a comprehensive strategy. Protective measures, surveillance, and equitable access remain essential as vaccination campaigns unfold worldwide.

In the ongoing conversation, experts acknowledge that while one vaccine may become a primary tool, multiple vaccines could play complementary roles, helping to reach diverse populations and address logistical realities around storage and distribution. The aim is to build resilience against Covid-19 and move closer to a future where the virus circulates at much lower levels, if at all, in communities across North America and beyond.

Source: Goal [Citation: Goal]

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