Pfizer COVID Vaccine Prompts Avalanche of Memes Celebrating the News

As Pfizer revealed its coronavirus vaccine candidate is "more than 90 percent effective in preventing COVID-19," various memes in response to the news have been shared on social media using the hashtag #vaccine and Pfizer, both of which have been trending on Twitter.

The American pharmaceutical company based in New York City has been developing a potential COVID-19 vaccine in collaboration with BioNTech, a biotechnology firm in Germany.

Pfizer is expected to seek Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in the third week of November "after the required safety milestone is achieved," the company confirmed in a statement Monday.

"With today's news, we are a significant step closer to providing people around the world with a much-needed breakthrough to help bring an end to this global health crisis. We look forward to sharing additional efficacy and safety data generated from thousands of participants in the coming weeks," Dr. Albert Bourla, Pfizer chairman and chief executive officer (CEO), said in the statement.

President Donald Trump, who previously made several promises that the U.S. would have a COVID-19 vaccine ready "very soon," including by election day, tweeted Monday: "STOCK MARKET UP BIG, VACCINE COMING SOON. REPORT 90% EFFECTIVE. SUCH GREAT NEWS!"

User @DaveMcgrath1 shared an image of the Frodo character, played by actor Elijah Wood in the Lord of the Rings film trilogy, noting: "EVERYONE: Check out BBC News - Covid is over. They've found a #vaccine. hallelujah. God bless Pfizer. God bless mankind."

User @__SAMI_RASSAM__wrote "First Trump is out, now we could be getting a vaccine...November showing up to save 2020 like," sharing another Lord of the Rings-themed meme featuring Aragorn, the character played by actor Viggo Mortensen.

User @nathan_boachie shared an image of rapper Kanye West in tears and wrote: "Introverts looking at the COVID Vaccine knowing lockdown could end #vaccine #Pfizer."

User @RobynCu88634438 noted: "2020 is on the up first Biden getting elected and now the Pfizer vaccine!2021 is looking better and better #vaccine," with a gif showing Carlton, the character from The Fresh Prince of Bel Air television series played by actor Alfonso Ribeiro, dancing.

Broadcaster Piers Morgan tweeted Monday: "News of a potential vaccine with 90% efficacy is incredibly exciting. But it makes it even more important for us all to obey the lockdown rules in the meantime. Let's stop as many people dying as possible before the Pfizer cavalry comes."

However, in an earlier post Morgan wrote: "Zoom stock tanking...#vaccine," sharing an image of a graph, noting the video-call software plunged by around 15 percent on Monday morning when the news broke about a promising COVID-19 vaccine candidate.

Several users also responded to Vice President Mike Pence's tweet about the vaccine, which said: "HUGE NEWS: Thanks to the public-private partnership forged by President @realDonaldTrump,@pfizer announced its Coronavirus Vaccine trial is EFFECTIVE, preventing infection in 90% of its volunteers."

The head of vaccine research at Pfizer has distanced the firm's vaccine development from the White House's Operation Warp Speed.

User @gailendavid noted: "Pfizer called and they don't know you or Trump," sharing a meme of singer Mariah Carey shaking her head.

User @LoisBeans wrote: "It is NOT thanks to the former President. Pfizer purposely took no federal money because they wanted to distance themselves from Operation Warp Speed. They also had stringent clinical trials with human volunteers. Y'all are not involved. So, no stealing the credit on this one," sharing an image of a Simpsons cartoon.