The company behind the “most advanced” coronavirus vaccine in development said it could produce 100 million doses by the end of the year and up to 1.3 billion by 2021 at a key facility here in Massachusetts.
“As we continue to fight this virus, against COVID-19, a vaccine and treatment cannot come soon enough. Pfizer is developing one of the most advanced COVID-19 vaccines, ”said Governor Charlie Baker during a tour of the Pfizer facility in Andover on Thursday.
The Pfizer vaccine uses mRNA to deliver genetic instructions to cells, in this case the SARS COVI protein, which should then elicit an immune response, Pfizer vice president of global research and development Dr. Meg Ruesch explained Thursday.
The investigation into the Pfizer mRNA vaccine candidate began in March, he said.
“Our ability to manufacture quality and speed mRNA at Pfizer Andover is due to the outstanding scientists, engineers, and support staff we have here. In the fight against this global pandemic, we really believe that science will win, “said Reusch.
Messenger ribonucleic acid (or mRNA) vaccines are likely to be the first coronavirus treatment available because they are easier to test and administer than traditional virus-based vaccines. As such, they have become a popular choice among 27 different COVID-19 vaccine candidates currently undergoing human testing worldwide, according to the New York Times coronavirus tracker.
If Pfizer is successful, it would bring the first mRNA vaccine to market, but it needs approval from the Food and Drug Administration first.
On Monday, the largest test to date for the vaccine began when the company launched the final stage of the trials. In the Phase 3 trial, the company seeks to enroll 30,000 people at test sites across the United States and abroad, including some in Massachusetts, Baker said.
“We are fortunate to have some of the best and brightest minds in scientific research and medicine here in our backyard. Doctors and scientists are world-class, and here at Pfizer we see that first hand every day, ”said Baker.
The governor said Massachusetts has seen “good progress” in its fight against the coronavirus, but rebuked people for being “careless and accommodating” in recent days when it comes to wearing masks and social distancing, particularly at private social gatherings. .
Two recent outbreaks have been traced to parties in the Cape Cod backyard where, according to Baker, unmasked revelers did not practice social distancing.
“The biggest problem is honestly behavior in general … not socially detached, unmasked, and in some cases, a lack of respect for how this virus works and how it moves from person to person,” Baker said.
