Vaccine Trials Ramp up in Arizona and Across the Country

As the COVID-19 pandemic continues to disrupt life across the United States, multiple potential vaccines are being developed and tested—some right here in Arizona!

The phase 3 trial of Moderna’s COVID-19 vaccine took a major step this week as participants began to receive the second of two doses. Phase 3 of clinical testing also began this week for AstraZeneca’s COVID-19 vaccine while Pfizer CEO Albert Bourla announced that results from his company’s phase 3 trial could come back as soon as October.

“We expect by the end of October, we should have enough to say whether the product works or not,” he said. U.S. health officials have previously said results from late-stage vaccine trials could come in November or sooner.

In July, the U.S. government announced it would pay Pfizer and BioNTech $1.95 billion to produce and deliver 100 million doses of their vaccine if it proves safe and effective. The deal was signed as part of Operation Warp Speed, the official White House effort to accelerate the development and production of vaccines and treatments to fight COVID-19.

For more detailed information on the latest news regarding vaccines in Arizona, you can view the latest edition of Arizona Vaccine News from the Arizona Department of Health Services.