Work to distribute the experimental COVID-19 vaccine developed by Pfizer Inc. and BioNTech SE is gearing up after the companies announced successful interim data on Monday, but it will not be coming to local pharmacies for the general public any time soon.
The data showed that the two companies' experimental vaccine is 90% effective at preventing COVID-19. They are still awaiting data on safety, which could come later this month.
Pfizer and BioNTech need to get regulators to sign off on the shot before it can start shipping vaccines to those considered most in need by government. Health care workers and people living in nursing homes will likely top that list.