Pfizer’s Covid 19 Vaccine
Pfizer reports that its vaccine has had 90% efficacy. This is a very high percent and if all else falls into place could be a game changer. Congrats to Pfizer and its German partner Bio-N-Tech.
What else needs to fall into place? The first is safety; we should know that in 2-3 weeks. The second is longevity; does it give long term protection? The third is manufacture; they project about 50 million this year and 1.5 billion next year. About half of the 50 million is for the US; the vaccine requires two shots, so about 12.5 million Americans could be vaccinated this year. It will be some time next summer before many Americans can be vaccinated. The fourth is distribution; it needs to be stored and transported at minus 90 degrees Fahrenheit. The fifth is equity; health professionals at risk are first; then high risk individuals next; healthy young adults will be last. Will rich people and some of their doctors try to jump the queue? Of course, some will try.
This is also hopeful for the other vaccines being developed, such as Moderna, AstraZeneca and Johnson and Johnson. J and J if successful only requires one dose and a lesser degree of cold storage.
What role did the Trump Administration’s Operation Warp Speed play? They played no role in the Research and Development, as Pfizer did not want to be beholden to government funding. The US has contracted to buy some of the supply, so that’s why we will get half of this year’s production.