Pfizer says tests show its vaccine is effective against the South African variant

Pfizer says vaccine protection lasts at least 6 months after 2nd shot "It is an important step to further confirm the strong efficacy and good safety data we have seen so far," BioNTech CEO Ugur Sahin said. NBC News

Pfizer and BioNTech said Thursday that trials suggest their vaccine is effective against a coronavirus variant that first emerged in South Africa, which some experts worry might evade existing shots.

The drugmakers also said in a statement that 12,000 people involved in their Phase 3 trial experienced high levels of protection against Covid-19 six months after their second dose, with no serious safety concerns.

"It is an important step to further confirm the strong efficacy and good safety data we have seen so far," said Ugur Sahin, CEO and cofounder of BioNTech.

"These data also provide the first clinical results that a vaccine can effectively protect against currently circulating variants, a critical factor to reach herd immunity and end this pandemic for the global population."

The vaccine, developed by American pharmaceutical giant Pfizer and its German partner BioNTech, received emergency use authorization in December from the Food and Drug Administration, which is only granted in special circumstances.

Thursday's trial results will allow the drugmakers to submit a full Biologics License Application to the FDA, Pfizer Chairman and CEO Albert Bourla said in the statement. They also plan to share the results with regulators around the world, and to submit the data for peer review. ...