Ireland is set to receive a portion of six potential Covid-19 vaccines in the coming months and years to help thwart some of the spread of the virus and the disease it causes.
If all six get the green light, and that’s to be optimistic, this country could be in line to receive around 18 million doses of different Covid-19 vaccines over the next year or so.
Some are likely to block people from contracting the virus, and others may prevent those with the infection from developing serious illness and complications. The results of an experimental vaccine made by the American firm Moderna will be delivered in the next few days and, like Pfizer, it is expected to apply for emergency approval this month.
A spokesperson for the European Commission confirmed that it has concluded exploratory talks with Moderna. It is expected to have access to 160 million doses of its vaccine should it be approved and this would be divided among member states pro rata by population.
A deal with another pharmaceutical firm CureVac is expected to be concluded for 225 million doses. The next step is the conclusion of an advance purchase agreement.
It already has agreements with Pfizer, AstraZeneca-Oxford, Johnson & Johnson and Sanofi.
Following Pfizer’s announcement that its Covid-19 is 90% effective, there is growing expectation about Moderna’s results.
The hope is that it also promises to be very effective. The United States FDA has said it will license a Covid-19 vaccine that is 50 percent effective after analyzing the data, including its degree of safety.
Like Pfizer, Moderna’s vaccine uses the pathogen’s genetic code, called messenger RNA or mRNA, for the body to recognize the coronavirus and attack it if a person becomes infected.
Early clinical data showed that people who received the vaccine had higher levels of antibodies than people who had Covid-19 and they recovered.
Moderna said last month it was actively preparing for the global launch of its vaccine and had completed the enrollment of 30,000 volunteers in its final phase trial.
This is one of the vaccines that the outgoing president of the United States, Donald Trump, hailed as early as August, hoping that it will be ready in time for the November elections.
Volunteers in Moderna’s trials include minorities, as well as people who have underlying conditions that put them at higher risk of contracting the virus, as well as participants from older age groups.
All companies applying for a license must provide at least two months of safety data based on the vaccination of their volunteers.
None of the vaccines, which will be bought by individual countries, will be cheap, but if they work they will have proven to be good value for money when compared to the impact on disease rates, mortality rates, livelihoods and the economy.
Pfizer, which should be commended for appearing the first to overlook, is expected to earn $ 14 billion worldwide in 2021.
Pfizer Ireland, based in Grange Castle in West Dublin, played its own role in supporting its Belgian site, where the vaccine was manufactured, by conducting quality tests.
Several vaccines are expected to go live over the next two years, which would drive down the price.
Some companies received a large investment from various countries, which will also reduce the price. The next few months could mark an important milestone as more drug companies reveal the results of their Covid-19 vaccine trials.
Astra-Zeneca vaccine results will also possibly be available in December or January.
That, combined with the findings on which are the best rapid tests for Covid-19, as well as possible advances in therapeutics, leads to optimism.