The results show that the pill significantly reduced the risk of hospitalization or death for any cause by 89% compared to placebo in non-hospitalized, high-risk adult patients with COVID-19 treated within three days of symptom onset. 

In a secondary endpoint, PAXLOVID reduced the risk of hospitalization or death for any cause by 88% compared to placebo in patients treated within five days of symptom onset, an increase from the 85% observed in the interim analysis. 

Amanda Ascher, chief medical officer at Sun River Health, says they are seeing great results. 

“Now we have opportunity for folks to take a pill at home within a few days of seeing symptoms,” says Ascher. 

Out of 700 people who took the pill,  five people were hospitalized and no deaths were recorded during the trial. 

“Instead of 10 people going to the hospital, only one will go,” explains Pfizer CEO Albert Bourla. “No one is dying.” 

Despite the news regarding the pill, doctors recommend getting vaccinated and wearing a mask. 

A new study of 78,000 omicron cases showed two doses of the Pfizer vaccine are only 33% effective at preventing infection. 

Of the 43 omicron cases in the U.S. so far, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports most people were vaccinated, a third had boosters and all had mild symptoms. 

The data has been shared with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration as part of an ongoing rolling submission for emergency use authorization, the company says.