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An effective vaccine for Covid-19 could be in the offing, as the first interim results in large-scale trials show a 90% effective rate.
Pfizer, which has a large manufacturing base in Cork, says its vaccine has exceeded expectations in the first massive trial of any vaccine.
More than 43,000 people participated in the trial, which was collaborated globally by scientists and researchers working for Pfizer / BioNTech.
And the results the pharmaceutical giant claims have been welcomed as far better performance than most experts expected.
Pfizer has also said that the trials revealed no serious side effects. If the data is certified by drug regulators and the vaccine is licensed, the first doses could be given to front-line healthcare workers before the end of this year.
Regulators in the US and elsewhere have said they would approve a vaccine that was only 50% effective, as it could be a vital weapon in the fight against the pandemic.
“Today is a great day for science and humanity,” said Dr. Albert Bourla, President and CEO of Pfizer.
“The first set of results from our Phase 3 Covid-19 vaccine trial provides initial evidence of the ability of our vaccine to prevent Covid-19.”
“We are reaching this critical milestone in our vaccine development program at a time when the world needs it most, with infection rates setting new records, hospitals approaching overcapacity and economies struggling to reopen.”
Trials will continue, but initial results will excite governments and public health experts who have been waiting for positive news from efforts around the world to develop an effective vaccine.
The phase 3 trials have involved more than 43,000 people and people of ethnic minority and black origin appear to have been as well protected as everyone else, the company says.
Collecting the required safety data will take until the third week of November, the company says.
The full results will then be sent to regulators in the US and Europe for approval.
Pfizer employs 3,400 people in Ireland and they have been in Cork for more than 50 years; Ringaskiddy’s plant is a global manufacturing center for the company and could be heavily involved in producing the vaccine and other COVID-19 therapies.
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