A second vaccine shows success in trials
The drugmaker Moderna announced on Monday that its coronavirus vaccine was 94.5 percent effective, based on an early look at the results from its large, continuing study.
Researchers said the results were better than they had dared to imagine. But the vaccine will not be widely available for months, probably not until the first months of 2021. The company plans to apply for emergency authorization from U.S. drug authorities within weeks.
Moderna said its vaccine had a longer shelf life than what was previously reported: It can last 30 days in the refrigerator and 12 hours at room temperature. That would make it easier to store and use.
The race: Moderna’s announcement came a week after Pfizer, in collaboration with BioNTech, reported that its vaccine was more than 90 percent effective. Ten other companies are conducting big Phase 3 trials, including efforts in China, Russia, India and Australia. Check our vaccine tracker here.
Markets: Global markets were up on Monday over both the Moderna vaccine and a new Asia-Pacific free trade deal.
Here are the latest updates and maps of the pandemic.
In other developments:
■ India will fly doctors into the New Delhi area, double the number of tests it carries out and ensure that people wear masks, in an effort to contain the spread of the coronavirus in the capital, the home minister said on Sunday.
■ Seven months after he battled Covid-19, Prime Minister Boris Johnson of Britain said he was quarantining after coming into contact with a lawmaker later found to be infected with the virus. He was not experiencing any symptoms, his office said.
■ Tourism in New York City will need at least four years to recover from the free-fall triggered by the pandemic, according to a new forecast from the city’s tourism promotion agency.
The New York Times