A vaccine developed by Pfizer-BioNTech cut symptomatic COVID-19 disease by 85% after the first dose, according to Israeli researchers. PFIZER FILES TO EASE COVID-19 VACCINE TEMPERATURE STORAGE REQUIREMENTS"Our data show substantial early reductions in SARS-CoV-2 infection and symptomatic COVID-19 rates following first vaccine dose administration," study authors wrote. The drop in disease after a single dose could bolster an approach to space out the dosing regimen amid vaccine supply issues, the team noted. While Pfizer reported 52.4% efficacy between the first and second dose, the Canadian researchers argued the immune system was still ramping up its response. Danuta Skowronski and Gaston De Serres, instead found a 92.6% efficacy two weeks after the first dose, before the second dose.

Source: Fox News February 19, 2021 13:40 UTC