[ad_1]
The scientist who created Pfizer’s Corona virus vaccine said he was convinced his product could “strike the virus over the head” and end the epidemic that held the world hostage in 2020.
Ugur Shaheen, CEO of German company Biontech, and the developer of the vaccine with his wife Azlim Toriçi, said in statements to the Guardian newspaper that he was optimistic and added: “If the question is whether we can stop this epidemic with this vaccine, my answer is: Yes, because I think so. Even protection against symptomatic infections alone will have a great effect. “
He stressed that he was not sure his vaccine would confer significant human immunity and indicated that his vaccine attacks the virus in more than one way.
The two companies, “Pfizer” and “Biontech”, announced on Monday that the vaccine against the emerging crown they are working on has been shown to be 90% effective, according to preliminary analysis of the results of the third phase of the trials. clinics.
The two companies said in a joint statement that “this vaccine efficacy” was measured by comparing the number of participants infected with the coronavirus emerging in the group that received the vaccine, and the number of people infected from another group having received a placebo vaccine, “seven days after receiving the second dose” and 28 days after Receive your first dose.
Tests showed that there were no serious side effects for those who received the doses of the vaccine.
He hits him in the head
“The vaccine prevents the virus from reaching our cells. But even though the virus can find a way in, the T cells hit it on the head and kill it. We have trained the immune system well to control these two movements. We now know that the virus cannot defend itself, ”Shaheen said. Himself against these mechanisms. “
Shaheen said some crucial questions about the vaccine’s effectiveness will only be answered in the weeks and months to come, and it may take up to a year to determine if it can also stop infections. without symptoms.
He explained that he hoped that those who received the vaccine, through two injections in the arm with an interval of three weeks, would be immune to the Corona virus for at least a year, and said: “We have so far only indirect evidence regarding the duration of immunity. Studies in Corona patients have shown that “Those who have a strong immune response may still have this response after six months. I imagine we can be safe for at least a year. ”
He cited Pfizer’s experience with mass-market vaccines and the rapid actions of regulatory authorities which have helped speed the development process to 10 months instead of years.
For his part, the director general of the International Federation of Pharmaceutical Companies told AFP that the preliminary data published on the effectiveness of a vaccine developed by Pfizer and Biontech is “the best scientific news we have this year” .
Thomas Quiney, president of the International Federation of Pharmaceutical Manufacturers and Associations, said in an interview on Wednesday that having a “vaccine that is 90% effective and safe is a historic step forward.”
Commenting on the imminent arrival of Pfizer for a vaccine against the Covid-19 epidemic, Anthony Fauci, director of the American Institute of Infectious Diseases, asserted that “the strike force is coming”, before revealing that another vaccine is also on the way, nevertheless calling for a continuation of the preventive measures commitment.
Source link
