The Vaccine Race Ahead, Pfizer-BioNTech the first.
30 Nov 2020
The Covid Vaccine manufacturing companies are racing to reach the target first. The Oxford University-AstraZeneca, Moderna, Pfizer-BioNTech, and Gamaleya-Sputnik-V are the racers struggling to win the target. Almost all companies have filed to the concerned for the emergency regulatory approval of their vaccine for widespread use. Now the UK has approved Pfizer-BioNTech for using the vaccine in the country, the first in the world. The UK has ordered 40 m doses that is enough to vaccinate its 20 m people.
All the vaccines claim 62-95 % effectiveness. At the same time, the price-range and preservation mechanism varies from company to company. The Oxford University-AstraZeneca claims 60-92 % effectiveness and can be preserved at regular fridge temperature. Moderna but, claim 95 % effectiveness and can be preserved at -20 degree Centigrade. Pfizer-BioNTech claims that their vaccine is 95 % effective and can be preserved at -70 degrees Centigrade. At the same time, Gamaleya-Sputnik-V claims 92 % effectiveness and can be preserved at regular fridge temperature.
All the vaccines are having two dose application against the Covid-19. Among the four, The Oxford University-AstraZeneca and Gamaleya-Sputnik-V are of vector viral type. However, the former has -genetically modified virus in addition to the viral type. Moderna and Pfizer-BioNTech are of RNA type in general. However, Pfizer-BioNTech has -part of the virus genetic code in addition to the RNA type.
The anticipated cost of the vaccine also varies from company to company. Among the four The Oxford University-AstraZeneca is the lowest in price-range, i.e., $4. The Pfizer vaccine costs $20 and Moderna costs $33. The data in respect of Gamaleya-Sputnik-V is not available.
All companies are optimistic but at the same time, the pros and cons of the vaccine are now debated as a burning topic among the research scholars. However, now the UK has approved the vaccine produced by the Pfizer-BioNTech-the first approved Covid-19 vaccine in the world.
