Early indications from the American biotechnology Company Moderna indicate that after its phase three trials, it has a vaccine efficacy of 94.5%.
The study, known as the COVE study, enrolled more than 30,000 participants in the U.S. and is being conducted in collaboration with the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID).
The vaccine known as mRNA-1273,saw 95 trial participants contracted Covid-19, including just five who were given the coronavirus jab.
“This is a pivotal moment in the development of our COVID-19 vaccine candidate. Since early January, we have chased this virus with the intent to protect as many people around the world as possible. All along, we have known that each day matters. This positive interim analysis from our Phase 3 study has given us the first clinical validation that our vaccine can prevent COVID-19 disease, including severe disease,” said Stéphane Bancel, Chief Executive Officer of Moderna
The Moderna vaccine is not one of those which the government has pre-ordered. However The president of Moderna, told the BBC’s World at One that he hoped his firm would be able to supply “substantial quantities” of its coronavirus vaccine to the UK.
The company’s shares, which have more than quadrupled this year, rose 15% in premarket trading while European stocks and Wall Street stock futures jumped on the vaccine update
Meanwhile a major vaccine trial has begun in the UK.Janssen’s jab uses a genetically altered cold virus to activate the immune system. The government has already ordered 30 million doses of the Belgian company’s vaccine.
