Moderna Reveals its Vaccine for Coronavirus is 94.5% Effective

As the U.S. sets new record for daily coronavirus cases, Moderna has released a preview of its COVID-19 vaccine data this week.

The biotech firm has announced that its vaccine candidate is 94.5% effective and that it has an even longer shelf life in the refrigerator than previously estimated.

Moderna’s vaccine can now survive for 30 days in regular refrigerator temperatures, and up to 6 months in -20 degrees Celsius.

Pfizer recently revealed also that its coronavirus vaccine candidate with BioNTech has proven to be more than 90% effective as well. Their vaccine however requires extra care in the form of ultra-cold storage to survive for a longer period of time.

“Since early January, we have chased this virus with the intent to protect as many people around the world as possible. All along, we have known that each day matters. This positive interim analysis from our Phase 3 study has given us the first clinical validation that our vaccine can prevent COVID-19 disease, including severe disease,” said Moderna CEO Stéphane Bancel in a statement.

According to U.S. Health and Human Services Sec. Alex Azar, Moderna’s temperature for vaccine stability, as well as the doses per package, makes it “more amenable” to delivery needs for community pharmacies.

“The Moderna/NIH vaccine candidate is now the second vaccine to show the potential for very high efficacy in Phase 3 trials. Operation Warp Speed has provided about $2 billion in funding and operational support for development, manufacturing, and eventual potential delivery of the Moderna/NIH vaccine,” Azar said.

Moderna had received federal funding from the National Institutes of Health to develop the vaccine.

President Trump tweeted on Monday, “Another Vaccine just announced. This time by Moderna, 95% effective. For those great “historians”, please remember that these great discoveries, which will end the China Plague, all took place on my watch!”

Disclaimer: We have no position in any of the companies mentioned and have not been compensated for this article.