Understanding Moderna’s Covid-19 Vaccine Trial Results
New press release data reveals a broadly effective vaccine that could be approved by the end of the year
As people return to work after a holiday weekend, another bright spot in the race to develop a Covid-19 vaccine has emerged. In a press release, pharmaceutical company Moderna released the final results of its phase three COVE trial, indicating that its experimental mRNA-1273 vaccine is more than 94% effective against Covid-19.
The firm has begun the process of approval in various countries including the U.S. A meeting with the Food and Drug Administration’s Vaccine and Related Biological Products Advisory Committee is set for December 17. This meeting will evaluate the safety data of the vaccine — a key hurdle in the FDA’s approval process.
What does the data show?
mRNA-1273 is effective in preventing Covid-19 infections
- Participants: 30,000
- Total Covid-19 cases: 196
- Total cases in the placebo group: 185
- Total cases in the vaccine group: 11
The results of this study revealed an efficacy rate of 94.1%. These results were consistent across a range of demographics including age, race, and gender.
mRNA-1273 is effective in preventing severe Covid-19 cases
- Total number of severe Covid-19 cases: 30
- Total number of severe cases in the vaccine group: 0
Severe Covid-19 cases were defined in the clinical trial protocol as:
- Vitals: respiratory rate ≥ 30/minute, heart rate ≥ 125 bpm, oxygen saturation ≤ 93% on room air
- Evidence of respiratory failure, acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) or shock OR
- Acute renal failure OR
- Admission to ICU or death
- Acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) or shock or acute renal failure or admission to ICU or death