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The head of the Irish branch of one of the world’s largest pharmaceutical companies has raised hopes for a coronavirus vaccine “within weeks.”
Paul Reid, managing director of Pfizer Ireland, said his company’s experimental jab could be approved by the end of next month and Ireland could be among the first to receive a batch.
Pfizer already has 100 million doses ready and is waiting for the green light from the authorities in Europe and the United States.
Mr Reid told the Irish Independent that the vaccine involves two doses and is being tested in 44,000 people 12 years of age and older.
He said: “We are accelerating the clinical trial program at breakneck speed.
“We are seeing recruitment speed in testing that we have never seen before. 40,000 have already been recruited.
“We have more than 35,000 participants who received the second dose of the vaccine.”
A Pfizer Ireland spokesperson told Dublin Live that sending the vaccine for emergency use authorization to the US Food and Drug Administration and the European Medicines Agency next month were important milestones.
Mr. Reid said: “We will have to demonstrate the quality and consistency of the vaccine.
“We are trying to be as open as possible. We are sharing any conclusive reading data, positive or negative, within days after independent scientists see it.”
“The positivity around the vaccine is based on good science so far.
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“The initial rollout will not end physical distancing and other Covid rules, but depending on how effective it is, it can provide some protection to groups at risk and reduce the need for closures.”
Reid added that his company has been investing since the early days of the pandemic to ensure it is ready to meet the demand for vaccines and intends to produce 1.3 billion doses next year.
Staff at Pfizer’s Grange Castle Dublin site have participated in quality testing.
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