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In case you have not yet heard the good news, we've probably got some coronavirus vaccines coming!
It all started on Nov. 9, when pharmaceutical company Pfizer announced early results showing its vaccine was 90% effective at preventing COVID-19. Then, on Monday, rival Moderna announced its own early results — which it said showed its vaccine was 94.5% effective. THEN, on Wednesday, Pfizer came back and said it had collected data on more patients and its vaccine was actually 95% effective.
Anthony Fauci, the top US infectious disease expert, has called these vaccines "the light at the end of the tunnel" for the COVID-19 pandemic. Both are genetic vaccines, meaning they use genes that teach human cells to make a piece of the coronavirus spike — that fires the immune system into action, which prompts immunity. (Note, though, that there are a bunch of different types of vaccines also in development.) Pfizer and Moderna's vaccines each require two injections spaced three to four weeks apart, and while they have not yet been given emergency approval by the FDA, the manufacturers plan to apply for it soon. Healthcare workers are expected to start getting vaccinated in December, with the general US population starting to get it around April.
With an end to the pandemic perhaps in sight, people gathered to celebrate the only way we really can in 2020: with an outpouring of memes about the rivalry between two big pharmaceutical companies.
Pfizer Moderna
Many people poked fun at Pfizer and Moderna for seemingly trying to one-up each other's results.
Behind-the-scenes view of the Pfizer and Moderna comms teams preparing press releases this week...
The drama!
pfizer and moderna: https://t.co/86TQlhIEDB
I cannot believe we are memeing Big Pharma in 2020.
@TomZohar Pfizer Moderna
Moderna announcing their vaccine after Pfizer
But then again, I totally can.
the pfizer vaccine talking about itself before moderna released theirs
Ladies: Prior to tonight, you were asked to prepare a vaccine for coronavirus. Moderna, Pfizer, the time has come. Good luck, and don’t fuck it up.
Now kiss!!!!
it’s the sexual tension between Pfizer and Moderna for me