For some months now, we have been following the race for a COVID-19 vaccine – the shot that will let us go back to living a normal life.This has been marked by dramatic flourishes.
Such reports built up to a drumroll on November 9 when Pfizer issued a press release with the preliminary results of its vaccine candidate, developed along with BioNTech. Shortly after Pfizer’s stocks rose by 15%. And interestingly, on the same day, its chief executive sold 62% of his stock at near-peak prices. The company also announced that it would have enough data to apply for emergency use authorisation in the US by the end of the month.
The authorities should be open, honest and scientific in their actions and public communications. By eliciting the public’s voluntary cooperation, the authorities may be able to tackle the disease effectively. On the other hand, opacity on the vaccine’s benefits and limitations will lead to suspicion of vaccines and could harm the cause of public health.
The FDA said on Friday it would hold a meeting of the advisory committee on December 10 at which members would discuss about the vaccine. The agency declined to predict how long its review would take, although both Pfizer and U.S. Health Secretary Alex Azar have said the FDA could authorize the vaccine in mid-December.
Of dozens of drugmakers and research institutions racing to develop COVID-19 vaccines, the next late-stage data is expected to come from AstraZeneca Plc, which is working with the University of Oxford, in November or December.
Pfizer, German Partner Seek Emergency Approval For Covid Vaccine in US.
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