Vaccine effectiveness

With the Pfizer vaccine now being rolled out across the UK, how does it's effectiveness stack up to other vaccines of recent times?

The arrival of several promising coronavirus vaccines has given a glimmer of hope in the enduring COVID-19 crisis. Developed at unprecedented speed as part of a global effort, approval and rollout of these vaccines is already underway in many countries. 

Vaccine efficacy is critical to the success in combating the virus. When the Pfizer vaccine trial results were announced there was celebration at the reported 95% effectiveness from the studies. Moderna’s coronavirus vaccine trial reported similar efficacy levels. Such high effectiveness figures compare well with other vaccines of recent times which have successfully fought many diseases such as whooping cough, diptheria and polio.

The AstraZeneca vaccine developed in partnership with Oxford University has a lower effectiveness than the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines, but this should not be of great concern. A 70% efficacy is still much higher than seasonal flu vaccines, and will be sufficient to make a significant impact in halting the spread of the virus.