Thread by @MoNscience, Moderna claims its #COVID19 mRNA vaccine is 95% effective via results from [...]

Nsikan Akpan, PhD

MoNscience

Moderna claims its #COVID19 mRNA vaccine is 95% effective via results from its first interim analysis.

Let's unpack what they've presented... https://investors.modernatx.com/news-releases/news-release-details/modernas-covid-19-vaccine-candidate-meets-its-primary-efficacy

Moderna’s COVID-19 Vaccine Candidate Meets its Primary Efficacy Endpoint in the First Interim...

First interim analysis included 95 participants with confirmed cases of COVID-19 Phase 3 study met statistical criteria with a vaccine efficacy of 94.5% (p

https://investors.modernatx.com/news-releases/news-release-details/modernas-covid-19-vaccine-candidate-meets-its-primary-efficacy

Off the bat, Moderna has provided WAY MORE data than Pfizer, both in terms of safety and efficacy

In particular, Moderna's release includes demographics and a breakdown of adverse effects for its #COVID19 vaccine. All look pretty promising. https://investors.modernatx.com/news-releases/news-release-details/modernas-covid-19-vaccine-candidate-meets-its-primary-efficacy

Like Pfizer, Moderna gives insight into whether its vaccine prevents mild infections (i.e. the trial's primary endpoint).

The answer appears to be yes.

But *unlike* Pfizer, Moderna reports on severe cases too! Its vaccine group reported 0 versus 11 in the placebo group.

Like Pfizer, Moderna gives insight into whether its vaccine prevents mild infections (i.e. the trial's primary endpoint). The answer appears to be yes.But *unlike* Pfizer, Moderna reports on severe cases too! Its vaccine group reported 0 versus 11 in the placebo group.

In a separate release, Moderna claims that its mRNA vaccine is now stable for 30 days at temps of 36° to 46°F.

Translation: You can store it in a regular refrigerator i.e. they're tossing shade at Pfizer's candidate, which requires ultra-cold freezers. https://investors.modernatx.com/news-releases/news-release-details/moderna-announces-longer-shelf-life-its-covid-19-vaccine

Reminder: Academic shade is delicious.

Moderna could have easily put the cold-storage info into the interim analysis release, but they were like "Nah, more shade servings to go around"

Big caveats: The public still lacks underlying data for the claims made by Pfizer and Moderna, and these study sizes are just so so small.

Big question: If Moderna released this level of detail for its #COVID19 vaccine, why didn't Pfizer do the same? https://www.nationalgeographic.com/science/2020/11/pfizer-biontech-interim-report-promising-but-lack-of-data-very-concerning/

Pfizer vaccine results are promising, but lack of data ‘very concerning,’ experts say

While the news of high efficacy is thrilling and has exceeded expectations, several researchers have flagged some vital unknowns.

https://www.nationalgeographic.com/science/2020/11/pfizer-biontech-interim-report-promising-but-lack-of-data-very-concerning/

You can follow @MoNscience.

Tip: mention @twtextapp on a Twitter thread with the keyword “unroll” to get a link to it.

Latest Threads Unrolled: