Pfizer and Moderna Vaccines Are Very Effective in Preventing COVID-19

A study released Monday by the US Centers for Disease Control (CDC) shows the mRNA vaccine produced by Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna is very effective in preventing COVID-19 in real conditions.

The study was conducted among nearly 4,000 health workers, first aid workers and other essential workers in six states between December 14 and March 13. The results showed that the risk of infection was reduced 80 percent after one dose and 90 percent after two doses.

Speaking during a White House COVID-19 response team briefing, CDC Director Rochelle Walensky said the study showed the two vaccines could be effective not only in symptomatic infections but also asymptomatic infections. He called it “very encouraging,” and said the study complements other recent studies in the New England Journal of Medicine and elsewhere.

But Walensky said the good news was hindered by the latest virus numbers across America. He said the daily average for infections rose ten percent over the past week, to nearly 70,000 per day. Hospitalizations increased by more than four percent and deaths by nearly three percent.

The CDC leader said US conditions were similar to those of Europe a few weeks ago. Europe is now experiencing a new wave of infections.

He issued a terrifying warning about “possible catastrophe” in the US amid an increase in coronavirus infections and hospitalizations. He urged residents to be patient and continue to practice social distancing and other security measures.

Walensky said the national vaccination effort was successful. As of Sunday, more than 93 million people have received at least one dose of the vaccine and more than 51 million people have been fully vaccinated in America. [my/jm]

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