Pfizer said in a statement that there were no data to show that a single dose of its coronavirus vaccine would provide protection from infection after 21 days.
Why it’s important: The UK announced on Wednesday that it would shift its vaccination strategy to “give the first dose to as many people in risk groups as possible as soon as possible instead of giving them the required dose.” Some provinces in Canada are doing the same.
- Pfizer confirmed in response that there appears to be some protection starting at 12 days after the first dose, however, two doses of the vaccine – separated by three weeks – are the only method that has been shown to be 95% effective in stage 3 tests.
- “Everyone will still receive their second dose and this will be within 12 weeks of their first week,” the UK government added in a statement. “The second dose completes the course and is important for long-term protection.”
Big picture: Pfizer warns U.S. Come in many countries, including how to administer vaccines as quickly as possible. U.S. It is on track to fall far short of its target of vaccinating 20 million people by the end of 2020, with only 3 million single-dose deliveries by Wednesday night.
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