COVID Update: Mass production of COVID-19 vaccines led by Pfizer

Gavin Lam, Staff Writer|October 19, 2020

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Wall Street Journal

Pfizer is mass-producing their COVID-19 vaccine hoping for emergency approval.

Many have been waiting for the COVID-19 vaccine to come out, and with our fingers crossed, there may be hope ahead. Pfizer, a Manhattan based pharmaceutical company, has just announced that they are mass producing COVID-19 vaccines. The company has already produced several thousands, and doesn’t plan to stop there. Dr. Albert Bourla, the CEO of Pfizer has plans to continue to process.

“Pfizer expects to know whether or not the vaccine works by the end of this month, but the company still has to prove the shot is safe and can be manufactured properly to seek a so-called emergency use authorization,” Bourla said.

Even if the shot proves to be “safe”, the company will still need the approval of the government in order for the vaccine to be released for public use. In a statement posted to the company website, Dr. Bourla stated, “Pfizer will apply for Emergency Authorization Use in the U.S. soon after the safety milestone is achieved in the third week of November. All the data contained in our U.S. application would be reviewed not only by the FDA’s own scientists but also by an external panel of independent experts at a publicly held meeting convened by the agency.”

Many watchers of the Coronavirus vaccine race had doubted Pfizer wouldn’t be able to meet the requirements of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration by the end of this month. The company’s announcement of mass production has shifted the reputation of the company as they are hopeful they can get the vaccine out by mid-November.

Pfizer isn’t the only company testing a vaccine in the late-stage trials. Other companies include Moderna, AstraZeneca and Johnson & Johnson. And, according to the New York Times, AstraZeneca and Johnson & Johnson’s vaccine trials have been paused for potential safety concerns, which could further delay their outcomes.

Pfizer is continuing to mass produce and test until they get government approval to seek emergency authorization. As of now, all we can do is wait until the government makes the decision to move on and release the vaccines.