Promising early results for the Pfizer mRNA vaccine, but would like to see full details of safety and efficacy. https://twitter.com/nytimes/status/1325767520092102659
We obviously don't have much detail about the results yet, but the study protocol for the Pfizer/BioNTech mRNA vaccine is online
https://pfe-pfizercom-d8-prod.s3.amazonaws.com/2020-09/C4591001_Clinical_Protocol.pdf
A few points: The phase 2/3 study has enrolled people in two groups (16-55 years, >55 years), who are considered "high risk" (loosely defined). Notable exclusions include immunocompromised people, pregnancy.
The vaccine is BNT162b2 (mRNA encoding the spike protein). Given in 2 doses, 21 days apart vs saline placebo.
The analysis is event driven with target of 164 cases. Various endpoints but efficacy calculated in participants without evidence of prior infection from 7 days after second dose (to allow for protective immune response to develop)
Two different definitions of confirmed cases (ECDC and CDC) and severe COVID. Testing triggered by symptoms, but serological testing for N may detect asymptomatic infection.
Press release notes 43,538 participants enrolled, of which 38,955 have received two doses as of 8 Nov. Reported efficacy 90% based on 94 cases.
https://www.pfizer.com/news/press-release/press-release-detail/pfizer-and-biontech-announce-vaccine-candidate-against
Many questions still - exact numbers, adverse events, protection with first dose, duration of protection, whether protective in older people, whether reduces infection or only disease, protection (or otherwise) against severe disease...
I like this take from Jonathan Van Tam - many vaccines are based on the spike protein, so these results, if confirmed, suggest that "the goalkeeper can be beaten" https://twitter.com/addicted2newz/status/1325890930889646086?s=20
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