Pfizer-BioNTech Say COVID-19 Vaccine Protection Lasts At Least Six Months, Effective Against South African Variant

New York: The ongoing Phase 3 clinical trial of Pfizer/BioNTech’s coronavirus vaccine has confirmed its protection lasts at least six months after the second dose. The companies said that the vaccine remains more than 91 per cent effective against disease with any symptoms for six months. The vaccine also appeared to be fully effective against the worrying B.1.351 variant of the virus — which is the dominant strain circulating in South Africa and which researchers feared had evolved to evade the protection of vaccines.

Also Read: Pfizer, Moderna Vaccines Against COVID-19 Highly Effective Even After First Shot: US Study

The vaccine was 100 per cent effective against severe disease as defined by the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and 95.3 per cent effective against severe COVID-19 as defined by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Safety data from the Phase 3 study has also been collected from more than 12,000 vaccinated participants who have a follow-up time of at least six months after the second dose, demonstrating a favorable safety and tolerability profile, Pfizer and BioNTech said in a joint statement.

On Wednesday (March 1), the companies said a small trial of volunteers aged 12 to 15 showed 100 per cent efficacy in that age group.

These data confirm the favorable efficacy and safety profile of our vaccine and position us to submit a Biologics License Application to the US FDA, said Albert Bourla, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Pfizer.

He added, “The high vaccine efficacy observed through up to six months following a second dose and against the variant prevalent in South Africa provides further confidence in our vaccine’s overall effectiveness.”

Also Read: Pfizer Says Its COVID-19 Vaccine Protects Younger Teens

The company has been studying the vaccine in more than 46,000 volunteers and has noted 927 cases of confirmed COVID-19.

From the 927 confirmed symptomatic cases of COVID-19 in the trial, 850 cases of COVID-19 were in the placebo group and 77 cases were in the BNT162b2 group, corresponding to vaccine efficacy of 91.3 per cent, it said.

According to CNN, the FDA’s definition of severe disease included a raised respiratory rate indicating respiratory distress; raised heart rate, an oxygen saturation level of 93 per cent or lower; respiratory failure severe enough to need additional oxygen or ventilation; a blood pressure drop indicating shock; significant kidney, liver or neurological dysfunction and admission to an intensive care unit or death.

In South Africa, where the B.1.351 lineage is prevalent and 800 participants were enrolled, nine cases of COVID-19 were observed, all in the placebo group, indicating vaccine efficacy of 100 per cent (95 per cent CI, [53.5, 100.0]). In an exploratory analysis, the nine strains were sequenced and six of the nine were confirmed to be of the B.1.351 lineage, the company said.

Also Read: Do You Still Need Both Doses If You Have Already Had The Infection? WHO Expert Answers COVID-19 Vaccination FAQs

These datas support previous results from immunogenicity studies demonstrating that BNT162b2 induced a robust neutralising antibody response to the B1.351 variant, and although lower than to the wild-type strain, it does not appear to affect the high observed efficacy against this variant, the company stated. It also noted that no serious safety concerns were observed in trial participants up to six months after the second dose.

Side effects were generally consistent with previously reported results. Vaccine safety has now been evaluated in more than 44,000 participants aged 16 years and older with more than 12,000 vaccinated participants having at least six months of follow-up after their second dose, the statement read.

Also Read: When To Take Second Dose Of The COVID-19 Vaccine, How To Register For It, Government Answers These And Other Questions

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

NDTV – Dettol Banega Swasth India campaign is an extension of the five-year-old Banega Swachh India initiative helmed by Campaign Ambassador Amitabh Bachchan. It aims to spread awareness about critical health issues facing the country. In wake of the current COVID-19 pandemic, the need for WASH (Water, Sanitation and Hygiene) is reaffirmed as handwashing is one of the ways to prevent Coronavirus infection and other diseases. The campaign highlights the importance of nutrition and healthcare for women and children to prevent maternal and child mortality, fight malnutrition, stunting, wasting, anaemia and disease prevention through vaccines. Importance of programmes like Public Distribution System (PDS), Mid-day Meal Scheme, POSHAN Abhiyan and the role of Aganwadis and ASHA workers are also covered. Only a Swachh or clean India where toilets are used and open defecation free (ODF) status achieved as part of the Swachh Bharat Abhiyan launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in 2014, can eradicate diseases like diahorrea and become a Swasth or healthy India. The campaign will continue to cover issues like air pollution, waste management, plastic ban, manual scavenging and sanitation workers and menstrual hygiene.