The path to a COVID-19 vaccine: what's the story so far?
The University of Oxford and AstraZeneca announced a third working COVID-19 vaccine on November 23, which they say is 70% effective. It follows results being released for two other vaccines — developed by Pfizer and Moderna — which showed 95% efficacy in their late-stage trials. Here is what's happening.
First came Pfizer and BioNTech's vaccine
Pfizer's experimental coronavirus vaccine succeeded in the final stage of clinical trials, the drugmaker announced November 9.
A week later came Moderna's shot, on November 16
Moderna's experimental coronavirus vaccine was highly effective at preventing COVID-19 in its late-stage trial, the Massachusetts biotech company announced, citing a 94.5% efficacy.
How do Pfizer and Moderna's vaccines differ? How are they similar?
Moderna's shot overcomes the limitation of Pfizer’s vaccine, as it does not require a deep-freeze. Moderna’s vaccine can be stored at standard refrigerator temperatures for up to a month.
The difference with AstraZeneca and Oxford University's shot
The Oxford/AstraZeneca vaccine is cheaper and easier to distribute than Pfizer and Moderna’s shots.
The COVID-19 vaccine developed by AstraZeneca and The University of Oxford is 70% effective, according to large-scale trial results announced on November 23.
The price per dose is far cheaper than for either Pfizer or Moderna's COVID-19 vaccine, in part because AstraZeneca has committed to not profiting from the vaccine during the pandemic.
The European Medicines Agency (EMA), the regulatory body for Europe, has already started evaluating lab data produced by AstraZeneca and the University of Oxford vaccine.
What's the next step?
The next step is to submit the vaccines to regulators across the world. Moderna will apply with the Food and Drug Administration for an emergency use authorization by the end of the month, Moncef Slaoui, the head of the White House Operation "Warp Speed" said on November 22. Pfizer sought emergency use authorization on November 20.
When can we expect to get a vaccine?
In all likelihood, the first coronavirus vaccines will begin rolling out to frontline workers and vulnerable populations in the last days of 2020, or possibly early 2021. Moderna CEO Stéphane Bancel told Business Insider that a coronavirus vaccine would be available to any American adult who wanted one by June 2021.
There are other vaccines in the works, too
By the end of 2020, there will likely be more than 50 coronavirus vaccine candidates in human testing, a Business Insider review found.
There are 241 ongoing research efforts to develop a vaccine, according to the World Health Organization. Here id what to expect in 2020 and 2021, with a timeline compiled of all the development efforts.
What else should we know?
Pfizer is already thinking about a second-generation coronavirus vaccine, one that may need just standard refrigeration. Meanwhile, private firms say there is appetite again for digital health passports.