Penn researchers weigh in on the regulatory and scientific efforts to track COVID-19 vaccines. Between December 2020 and February 2021, three drugmakers received Emergency Use Authorizations to distribute COVID-19 vaccines. The next step is a biologics license application—the technical name for full approval—a process Pfizer and Moderna have already begun. Experts from Penn are keeping a close eye on these regulatory steps, as well as the reporting mechanisms involved in assessing vaccine safety. The outlook thus far seems promising. (Image: Daniel Schlud) The mRNA vaccines for COVID-19, made by Pfizer/BioNTech and Moderna, are among the most powerful vaccines the world has ever seen. According to clinical trial data, they are more than 94% effective at preventing symptomatic disease, with real-world data bearing out that success. The other vaccine currently available in the U.S., produced by Janssen, uses a viral vector and is also proving its strength. Its efficacy, which is better than seasonal flu shots, is 70% generally and even stronger against hospitalizations and death.