Good news! Pfizer Vaccine Fights South African Variant of the Virus

Pfizer and BioTech said today that the latest clinical data shows that the Pfizer vaccine has 91% protection, including subjects who have been vaccinated for six months; moreover, the Pfizer vaccine is effective against the South African variant of the virus.

According to Reuters, the new South African variant of Wuhan pneumonia is rampant, and although the Pfizer vaccine in South Africa has fewer subjects, currently only 800, it is 100% effective.

The latest total test results of the Pfizer vaccine for the entire population showed 91.3 percent protection, slightly lower than the 95 percent tested for 4,400 people last November. According to U.S. federal government data, more than 300 cases of the South African variant of the virus have been identified in 25 U.S. states.

In response, Pfizer chief executive Albert Bourla said the drugmaker will be able to obtain full approval from U.S. regulatory agencies after the vaccine trial report is updated. Currently, the Pfizer vaccine has an Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

BioTech CEO Ugur Sahin also said the trial data provide the first clinical results that can effectively combat the Variant virus, which is key to achieving herd immunity and ending the global pandemic.

The companies said there were no serious safety concerns within six months of the second dose of the vaccine, and that it was equally effective regardless of age, gender, ethnicity or medical setting.