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What Landmark COVID Vaccine Results Mean for the Pandemic
Article

What Landmark COVID Vaccine Results Mean for the Pandemic

Scientists welcome the first compelling evidence that vaccines can prevent COVID-19 – but questions remain about how much protection they offer, and for how long.

Nature, 2020


Editorial Rating

8

Qualities

  • Analytical
  • Scientific
  • Hot Topic

Recommendation

While preliminary trial results for several COVID-19 vaccines look promising, scientists await more detailed data to ascertain their actual efficacy. Pfizer and Moderna vaccines have shown over 90% effectiveness in preventing the disease, while some criticize Russia’s Sputnik V data as sparse and rushed. Questions persist about whether the vaccines will lesson viral contagiousness, work the same in everyone, or remain effective for long periods of time. But the race is on to get vaccines into the arms of a world full of people desperate for a return to normalcy.

Take-Aways

  • The world awaits final trial results for several promising COVID-19 vaccines.
  • Russia’s vaccine, called Sputnik V, claims 92% effectiveness.
  • In mid-November, biotech company Moderna said its RNA-based vaccine offers more than 94% protection from COVID-19.

About the Author

Ewen Callaway is a London-based writer for Nature.