By
Tolu Ajiboye
December 13th, 2023
Pfizer noted that the decision to conduct the vaccine delivery trial was based on the uniqueness of each state because of their size, existing immunization infrastructure, diversity in the population and other factors.
Following the recent revelation that the COVID-19 vaccine being developed by the duo of Pfizer Inc (NYSE: PFE), and BioNTech SE (NASDAQ: BNTX) recorded a 90% efficiency in preventing COVID-19, Pfizer has launched a COVID-19 vaccine delivery trial in Texas, Tennessee, Rhode Island, and New Mexico. As reported by The Guardian, Pfizer needed to conduct the vaccine delivery trial owing to the ultra-low storage temperature requirement of the vaccine.
Meanwhile, PFE stock is in the red now. While it lost 3.34% yesterday to trade at $37.33, now in the pre-market it faced losses again. At the time of writing, the stock is at $36.43 which means that it is 2.41% down.
The Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine requires a storage and shipping temperature of -70 degrees Celsius (minus 94°F), a temperature way below the standard for vaccines which is pegged at a range of 2-8 degrees Celsius (36-46°F). As a result of this extreme temperature requirement, Pfizer needed a defined vaccine delivery strategy and infrastructure. This necessitates the trial it launched.
Pfizer noted that the decision to conduct the vaccine delivery trial was based on the uniqueness of each state because of their size, existing immunization infrastructure, diversity in the population as well as the need to connect with masses both in rural and urban areas.
“The four states included in this pilot program will not receive vaccine doses earlier than other states by virtue of this pilot, nor will they receive any differential consideration,” Pfizer said in a statement. Adding that they “are hopeful that results from this vaccine delivery pilot will serve as the model for other US states and international governments, as they prepare to implement effective Covid-19 vaccine programs.”
With the first positive interim results from the late-stage clinical trials, Pfizer hopes to apply for an Emergency Use Authorization for the vaccine provided more safety data are available before the end of November. With this plan, the vaccine may be in distribution as early as December.
Pfizer Vaccine Delivery Challenges, Moderna Is Moving Forward
Of the close to 10 biopharmaceutical companies associated with the US government-backed Operation Warp Speed, only Pfizer Inc (PFE) and Moderna Inc (NASDAQ: MRNA) have reportedly advanced in their COVID-19 vaccine research with the initial efficacy rates known and pegged at 90% for Pfizer, and 94.5% for Moderna.
With the progress from these two companies, a point of comparison in their respective vaccines becomes pertinent. While both utilize the Messenger RNA technology in developing their vaccines, a technology that trains the body to produce the necessary antibodies to fight the COVID-19 virus, the product from Moderna has an apparent advantage over that of Pfizer.
While Pfizer’s vaccine requires a storage and transportation temperature of -70 degrees Celsius, that of Moderna falls within the standard range of 2-8 degrees Celsius.
Irrespective of the obvious delivery advantages Moderna’s vaccine has over that of Pfizer and BioNTech, a speedy rollout of the vaccine remains the top priority. The prospects of getting the drug out have caused a stir in global markets. Pfizer has inked a deal worth $1.95 billion with the US government to supply 100 million doses of the vaccine. The US will also have an option to request an additional 500 million doses should there be a need for more.