Volunteers from the PVizer / BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine trials who received a placebo will be able to get a first dose of vaccine before March 1, according to reports on Saturday.
Companies said the trial vaccine transition option means all participants can find out if they were given the placebo. Participants who learn they received the placebo “have the option to receive the research vaccine while they stay in the study,” according to a statement to trial participants.
However, U.S. Food and Drug Administration officials and outside advisers have said Pfizer’s “carefree” plan could make it more difficult to continue collecting data on safety and effectiveness needed for full approval. vaccine by the FDA.
Participants in the placebo trial will have two doses of the research vaccine reserved for them during the study, the companies said.
“The study physician will follow the latest guidelines from U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and their local health authorities to offer the option of vaccine transition to participants as a matter of priority,” the companies said, according to reported Reuters.