Pfizer, an American multinational pharmaceutical company, has managed to create a 90 percent effective vaccine for COVID-19. The drug is currently in the works for being approved for emergency-use by the Food and Drug Administration. Pfizer has not announced any sort of setbacks or pauses in the trials and claims the vaccine is near completion and highly effective.

Pfizer announced the efficiency and progress of their COVID-19 vaccine early this week on Monday. The company has been working with its German partner BioNTech who specializes in treating severe diseases in order to find a medical solution for the Coronavirus. Pfizer announced they are seeking approval from the FDA to deploy the vaccine, possibly by the end of the year. However, there will be a limited amount of doses.

The announcement of the vaccine came as a new source of hope after Oxford’s vaccine trial was put on hold in response to a patient falling ill in which the advanced vaccine caused a subject to develop a spinal cord problem. Before Pfizer announced their results, Oxford had been leading successfully in creating a vaccine for COVID-19. The Oxford clinical trial pauses are to be expected as companies develop the vaccine since the safety of volunteers in the experiments is prioritized. Oxford has since then resumed their trials to continue its research.

“It is unfortunate that Oxford had to pause their trials, but it can allow Oxford to better the vaccine and ensure it can be safe and effective,” sophomore Carlos Rocha said.

Shortly after Pfizer shared the success of their vaccine, their public stock rose 10 percent. Pfizer’s Chief Executive Officer, Albert Bourla, sold 5.6 million dollars worth of the company stock after the announcement.

Pfizer and BioNTech have reported 94 cases of COVID-19 among 43,538 patients. However, both companies never stated publicly which groups were given a placebo and which got the actual vaccine. Pfizer is going to continue the trials until 164 COVID-19 cases are detected in order to alter the efficiency of the vaccine. Pfizer and BioNTech estimate that the vaccine will stay above 50 percent effective after the trials are completed.

Dr. Anthony Facui, the United States government’s top disease expert, reported that the 90 percent effective vaccine results are “just extraordinary.” Dr. Bruce Aylward, a senior adviser of the World Health Organization, also claimed that this vaccine could “fundamentally change the direction of this crisis by March.”

“I am extremely happy that Pfizer has been able to create a 90 percent effective vaccine. Hopefully we will have the vaccine available and can get rid of the Coronavirus,” sophomore Nathaniel Leiva said.

Pfizer’s vaccine is expected to be available by the end of the year if the FDA finalizes its approval. Pfizer claims they will provide around 50 million doses in the U.S. alone. Doses will be prioritized for healthcare workers, frontline staff, the elderly and those at high risk. It is predicted that everyday people will apply and be placed on waiting lists until more doses are available. By the time of its release, it is likely that more information about these vaccines will be made available.

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