The analysis evaluated 95 Covid-19 infections among 30,000 people participating in the vaccine trial developed by Moderna in collaboration with the US National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases. Ninety cases of the infection were in the placebo group, the remaining five were vaccinated with Moderna’s Covid-19 vaccine – two doses.
That means the experimental vaccine was 94.5 percent effective, says Moderna.
Dow Jones futures gained 500 points after the news. Moderna shares rose 11% in pre-market trading.
“This is a pivotal moment in the development of our Covid-19 vaccine,” said Stephane Bancel, CEO of Moderna.
“Since the beginning of January, we have been pursuing this virus with the intention of protecting as many people in the world as possible. In the process, we understand that every day matters. The positive initial analysis from a phase 3 trial was the first clinical confirmation that our vaccine could prevent Covid-19 ”.
Moderna, of Cambridge, Massachusetts, also said there were no “significant” safety concerns, and vaccines were generally safe. Side effects were painful at the site of the shot and – after the second dose – fatigue, muscle aches, headache.
“With a near 95% efficiency rate, this is a game changer, I believe,” Bancel said.
Moderna’s Covid-19 vaccine is stored at 36 – 46 degrees F (2 -7 degrees C), suitable for home refrigerators or medical refrigerators for 30 days. Storage time up to 6 months at -4 degrees F (-21.1 degrees C).
Previously, Pfizer on 9/11 announced that a vaccine developed by this American pharmaceutical company in collaboration with German biotechnology firm BioNTech was 90% effective in Covid-19 room. However, Pfizer’s vaccine requires storage at -94 degrees F (-70 degrees C).