Pfizer To Start Pilot Program For COVID-19 Immunization In Four U.S. States

[appalachiablue]

Source: Reuters

(Reuters) - Pfizer Inc PFE.N said on Monday it was starting a pilot program for COVID-19 immunization in four U.S. states to help refine the plan for the delivery and deployment of its vaccine candidate.

The U.S. drugmaker said it had selected Rhode Island, Texas, New Mexico, and Tennessee for the program because of their differences in overall size, diversity of populations and immunization infrastructure, as well as the states’ need to reach individuals in varied urban and rural settings. 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.

Pfizer last Monday released initial data on its vaccine developed with German partner BioNTech SE 22UAy.F that showed it to be more than 90% effective. Earlier on Monday, rival Moderna Inc MRNA.O said its experimental vaccine was 94.5% effective in preventing COVID-19 based on interim data from a late-stage trial, boosting hopes that vaccines against the disease may be ready for use soon.

Both the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines use a new technology called synthetic messenger RNA to activate the immune system against the virus. Experts have raised concerns about the distribution challenges associated with Pfizer’s vaccine due to its specialized storage requirements. ~

Read more: https://www.reuters.com/article/us-health-coronavirus-usa-pfizer/pfizer-to-start-pilot-program-for-covid-19-immunization-in-four-u-s-states-idUSKBN27X09A

[not_the_one]

1. I'll take Pfizer over Moderna. Moderna received 425 million "investment" from the trump admin.

I would imagine the order was to "come up with something, no matter what it takes". Like cutting corners...

Thanks, but no thanks, to Moderna.

[dkhbrit]

3. Do,you have specific information

To back up your assertions? You may not like that they took government funding but they are a highly reputable company. We should be applauding all successful work in this area. My father in law died from this awful disease. If a safe, reliable vaccine is developed quickly it would be fantastic. Who cares if Trump gets to do a little victory dance? This is way more important than that.

[cab67]

5. What form of "investment?"

Personal donations? Or federal grants?

Most of my work is funded by federal agencies. That doesn't mean I've taken money from Trump himself.

[Steelrolled]

2. It's happening!

[Lonestarblue]

4. If Pfizer's pilot program is available in my Texas city, I'll get in line for their vaccine.

Though I know it will be many months before enough people are vaccinated to make a difference, I’m finally believing that we can see a day when the virus is at last under control. I think it will be an annual shot, just like the flu shot, which gets tweaked for the latest mutations of the virus.

[cab67]

6. I think you're right.

And that's tragic, because annual COVID will probably be more lethal than annual flu most of the time, and too many people can't be bothered to get a vaccine every year. Flu vaccination rates vary by age group and state, but it's generally less than 50% for adults nationwide.

I hope people will take these vaccines more seriously now that one of the seasonal bugs is worse than flu.

[meow2u3]

7. Thank God Pfizer is rolling out the program in Texas

My sister is an RN who works with COVID patients and she'll likely get the shot.

[Tiger8]

8. What will Alex Jones say?

Will Jones report that Pfizer vans have descended upon these states, grabbing people off the street to inject them with the nefarious mind control poison?

Anything to get the anti-vaxxer whackos revved up....