Moderna’s coronavirus vaccine marks another important step in the right direction

If the current trajectory of progress continues, there’s every reason to believe that a corner will be turned in the new year. Samuel Lovett explains why there is cause to be both cautious and cheerful

The Moderna vaccine can be stored at fridge temperature (AFP via Getty Images)

Moderna’s announcement that its vaccine appears to be 94 per cent effective marks the latest step forward in the fight against Covid-19. Just one week after Pfizer’s historic breakthrough, humanity has been handed further hope that the pandemic will eventually be brought under control.

There is, of course, still a long way to go. Amid the excitement that follows news of this nature, it is easy to look past the dark winter ahead. Although both companies have said they expect to deliver millions of doses by the end of the year, this will not be enough to soften the blow of the ongoing second wave.

Nonetheless, the emergence of a second coronavirus vaccine adds to the growing light at the end of the tunnel.