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Published 08:30 IST, November 10th 2020

WHO chief Tedros welcomes 'encouraging' news on COVID-19 vaccine from Pfizer, BioNTech

WHO chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus hailed Pfizer and BioNTech's announcement that the vaccine they jointly developed is 90% effective in preventing COVID-19

Reported by: Gloria Methri
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The World Health Organization (WHO) chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus hailed Pfizer and BioNTech's announcement on Monday that the vaccine they have jointly developed is 90% effective in preventing the COVID-19 infection in ongoing Phase 3 trials.

Taking to Twitter, Dr Tedros welcomed the ‘encouraging’ news and commended all scientists and partners engaged in developing the vaccine to beat the Coronavirus.

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A coronavirus vaccine may be rolled out by March 2021 to the most vulnerable, which could fundamentally change the course of the pandemic, a senior World Health Organization (WHO) official said on Monday. Addressing WHO's annual ministerial assembly, Bruce Aylward said that the interim results from Pfizer Inc's phase-three vaccine trials were "very positive".

READ | Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine Announcement Rocks Global Stock Markets

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Fauci hails ‘extraordinary’ Pfizer results

Anthony Fauci, the top infectious-disease expert of US, said the vaccine, being developed by Pfizer will have a “major impact" on the battle against the deadly virus. Speaking to reporters, Fauci said, the efficacy of the Pfizer drug candidate being over 90% “is just extraordinary.” He asserted that Moderna may have similar results to the Pfizer vaccine because it is also based on mRNA technology.

READ | 'Great Day For Science': COVID-19 Vaccine By Pfizer, BioNTech Shows More Than 90% Efficacy

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Pfizer early trials show vaccine 90% effective

Earlier in the day, American pharmaceutical Pfizer and its German partner BioNTech announced their Covid-19 vaccine candidate, BNT162b2, has prevented more than 90% of infections in a study involving thousands of volunteers in Phase 3 trials. This has been the most encouraging scientific advancement so far in the battle against Coronavirus.

Pfizer and BioNTech SE became the first drugmakers to show promising results from a large-scale clinical trial of a Covid-19 vaccine. The shots developed by the two companies are among the 10 possible vaccine candidates in late-stage testing around the world. As per reports, Pfizer has indicated that it will file an emergency use application with US regulators later this month.

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READ | Pfizer, BioNTech Seek EUA As COVID-19 Vaccine Shows Over 90% Efficacy; Here's What's Next

READ | Joe Biden Cheers COVID-19 Vaccine Progress But Says Masks Remain A Must

08:30 IST, November 10th 2020