On the heels of Pfizer’s announcement of a successful vaccine trial, Moderna released data showing an even more effective vaccine. How do they differ and what are both sides’ reaction to the positive news?
Summary
Following up on reports last week that Moderna was expected to release covid-19 vaccine trial data, the pharmaceutical company on Monday unveiled its testing that shows the coronavirus shots to be nearly 95% effective.
- The Moderna vaccine, similar to the Pfizer trial vaccine announced previously, relies on technology that has not previously been used in approved vaccines.
- There is a major difference between the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines: the need for the Pfizer vaccine to be kept at a much colder temperature.
- Pfizer’s expensive refrigeration requirement has led a top doctor with Johns Hopkins to suggest Moderna will be the “vaccine of choice.”
- On the heels of the Moderna announcement, the United Kingdom government announced they have ordered 5 million doses for next spring when it is expected to be available.
- Dr. Anthony Fauci, the United States government’s leading expert on infectious disease, recently said “the vaccine is really the light at the end of the tunnel.”
- CNBC reported sharp gains in Moderna’s stock following the announcement.
- The New York Times reporting played down enthusiasm with the Moderna announcement, saying it produced a “modicum of excitement” among public health experts and quoted the head of the World Health Organization, “A vaccine on its own will not end the pandemic.”
- Vox focused on managing expectations, saying the road between vaccine trials and global distribution of an approved vaccine is “fraught with logistical challenges.”
- CNN echoed similar warnings, saying promising news on a vaccine does not diminish the “dangerous stretch” of coronavirus cases the United States is currently experiencing.
- The Wall Street Journal detailed the potentially negative stock implications for pharmaceutical companies working on covid-19 vaccines.
- Quoting former Commissioner of the Food and Drug Administration Scott Gottlieb, National Review’s Jim Geraghty optimistically declared “we’re almost out of this ordeal” after the news from Moderna.
- The head of the United States’ Operation Warp Speed project hailed it as a massive success on Fox News Channel, saying after Pfizer and Moderna, several other vaccine candidates are expected to follow suit.
- Fox News also reported on President Trump’s praise of Moderna’s vaccine and took some credit for its quick process through Operation Warp Speed.
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© Dallas Gerber, 2020
