Pfizer on Wednesday announced that final data on its coronavirus vaccine candidate showed it to be 95 percent effective, adding that the company would be applying for Federal Drug Administration (FDA) emergency authorization “within days.” 

Pfizer said that the vaccine candidate, developed with German company BioNTech, is 95 percent effective “against COVID-19 beginning 28 days after the first dose.” 

The company last week said that interim data revealed its vaccine to be 90 percent effective. 

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It also said on Wednesday that it had the two months of safety data necessary to apply for an emergency use authorization from the FDA. 

“The study results mark an important step in this historic eight-month journey to bring forward a vaccine capable of helping to end this devastating pandemic,” Dr. Albert Bourla, Pfizer Chairman and CEO, said in the company’s statement. “With hundreds of thousands of people around the globe infected every day, we urgently need to get a safe and effective vaccine to the world.”

Pfizer said that 170 people in its trial tested positive for COVID-19, with 162 of them receiving a placebo and 8 in the vaccine group.

The company added that the efficacy rate was consistent across age, gender, race and ethnicity groups, and that the effectiveness for adults older than 65, who are at higher risk of complications from COVID-19, was more than 95 percent.

Pfizer reported no major side effects or safety concerns connected with the vaccine candidate, although fatigue and headaches were reported in some test subjects following the second dose.

The company also said on Wednesday that it and BioNTech expect to produce globally up to 50 million vaccine doses in 2020 and up to 1.3 billion doses by the end of 2021.

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On Monday, Pfizer announced that it was starting a pilot program to deliver its experimental vaccine to four U.S. states: Rhode Island, Texas, New Mexico and Tennessee.

The program launched the same day Moderna said that interim data revealed its coronavirus candidate vaccine to be 94.5 percent effective. The drug development also said that it would be applying for FDA approval “in the coming weeks,” once it has the final safety and efficacy data.

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Health care workers and other higher risk populations will be prioritized in the distribution of a federally approved vaccine beginning in December, with experts saying that a vaccine will likely not be distributed to the general public until well into 2021.

While Pfizer did not receive development funds from the Trump administration through its Operation Warp Speed, Moderna was given $955 million for the development of its vaccine.

–Updated at 7:48 a.m.

Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnellAddison (Mitch) Mitchell McConnellMcConnell: Transfer of power will happen on time On The Money: Trump’s controversial Fed nominee stalled | Economists warn of lag time between vaccine and recovery | Business group calls for national mask mandate, COVID-19 relief McConnell wants deal this week on fiscal 2021 spending figures MORE (R-Ky.) said Tuesday that he wants a deal on top-line figures for a package of government funding bills this week, as Congress barrels toward a shutdown deadline.

McConnell, speaking from the Senate floor, predicted that lawmakers would get a good sense this week about whether Congress will be able to reach a deal on a fiscal 2021 spending package or if they’ll need to pass a stopgap continuing resolution (CR), which would continue fiscal 202 spending levels.

“What needs to happen now is quite simple: Our colleagues on the committee and their counterparts in the House need to continue their bicameral discussions and settle on top-line dollar amounts for each bill. I hope they’ll be able to reach this broad agreement by the end of this very week,” McConnell said.

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Congress has until Dec. 11 to fund the government in order to avoid a shutdown heading into the holidays.

There are signs that talks are taking place behind the scenes.

An aide for Speaker Nancy PelosiNancy PelosiMcConnell wants deal this week on fiscal 2021 spending figures Business group calls for national mask mandate, COVID-19 relief Ted Cruz slams fellow senator as a ‘complete ass’ over wearing mask MORE (D-Calif.) revealed Tuesday that the Speaker and McConnell held discussions last week about “housekeeping,” including “a brief conversation about their shared commitment to getting an omnibus agreement completed.”

Pelosi also spoke last week with Senate Appropriations Committee Chairman Richard ShelbyRichard Craig ShelbyMcConnell wants deal this week on fiscal 2021 spending figures This week: Clock ticks on coronavirus, government funding deals The Hill’s Morning Report – Biden wins Arizona, confers with Dem leaders; Trump tweets MORE (R-Ala.). The Senate panel released text for all 12 of its annual spending bills last week.

Shelby said that he had also spoken to McConnell and Sen. Patrick LeahyPatrick Joseph LeahyMcConnell wants deal this week on fiscal 2021 spending figures Democratic senators urge Facebook to take action on anti-Muslim bigotry Senate releases spending bills, setting up negotiations for December deal MORE (Vt.), the top Democrat on the Appropriations Committee, as recently as Tuesday.

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“We’re working,” Shelby said, but noted of the Dec. 11 deadline: “Sometimes that slips too. I hope it won’t.”

Asked about the timeline for a deal this week on the top-line spending figures for all 12 fiscal 2021 bills, Shelby said that was the “goal.”

“We’re hoping. We’re doing extensive talks on the staff level and so forth. So we know what our goal is. We’re trying to get there,” Shelby said. “We believe there’s a little bit of momentum here now and let’s see what we can do.”

He added that believes that they have “some basic agreements in principle” on some of the numbers, but they have not yet been signed off on. Congress is supposed to pass all 12 fiscal 2021 spending bill by Oct. 1 but routinely uses a CR to buy itself more time, much like it did this year.

Two questions looming over the government funding talks is whether lawmakers will try to airdrop in coronavirus relief funding. Pelosi and McConnell remain far apart on a COVID-19 relief package, with no discussions happening between the two on a year-end agreement.

But GOP senators for months have floated tying it to government funding and indicated this week that it might be the best shot at getting more coronavirus relief across the finish line.

“As you know, I’ve been skeptical that we will be able to get to that. I think, frankly, our best chance to get some COVID relief might be to get a regular funding bill and put the most critical pieces of COVID relief on that, but we’ll see,” said Sen. Roy BluntRoy Dean BluntMcConnell wants deal this week on fiscal 2021 spending figures Graham becomes center of Georgia storm Republicans start turning the page on Trump era MORE (R-Mo.), a member of GOP leadership.

It’s also unclear whether President TrumpDonald John Trump46 percent of voters say Trump should concede immediately: poll Michigan county reverses course, votes unanimously to certify election results GOP senator: Trump shouldn’t fire top cybersecurity official MORE would sign a full-year spending deal on his way out of office. White House economic adviser Larry KudlowLarry KudlowMORE previously indicated that he thought Congress and the administration would be able to get a deal on a CR.

Asked if the White House or the president have indicated support an omnibus deal, Shelby said they had not.

“No,” he said. “We’re trying to work with each other now and we understand that the president has a powerful voice, ultimately, in all of this. But let’s see what we can accomplish first.”

President TrumpDonald John Trump46 percent of voters say Trump should concede immediately: poll Michigan county reverses course, votes unanimously to certify election results GOP senator: Trump shouldn’t fire top cybersecurity official MORE ousted Christopher Krebs, the top U.S. cybersecurity official, on Tuesday evening, disagreeing with Krebs’s statement affirming the security of the 2020 election.

Trump, who has refused to accept his loss to Democrat Joe BidenJoe Biden46 percent of voters say Trump should concede immediately: poll Michigan county reverses course, votes unanimously to certify election results GOP senator: Trump shouldn’t fire top cybersecurity official MORE in the presidential election earlier this month, said on Twitter that Krebs had been terminated “effective immediately.” Trump said a recent statement by the cyber chief about the security of the election was “highly inaccurate” and claimed, without evidence, that “there were massive improprieties and fraud — including dead people voting.”

“Poll Watchers not allowed into polling locations, ‘glitches’ in the voting machines which changed votes from Trump to Biden, late voting, and many more,” the president wrote. “Therefore, effective immediately, Chris Krebs has been terminated as Director of the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency.”

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Krebs, a Trump appointee, had served as director of the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) at the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) since CISA’s establishment in 2018. Krebs previously helmed CISA’s predecessor agency, the National Protection and Programs Directorate.

The Hill and other news outlets reported last week that Krebs expected to be fired by the White House after attracting attention for his efforts to debunk conspiracies about voter fraud and the security of the election. 

CISA put out a statement Thursday from stakeholders and officials that affirmed that the 2020 election was “the most secure in American history” and dispelled assertions that voting systems were in some way compromised, representing an implicit rebuke of assertions by the president and some of his supporters.

“There is no evidence that any voting system deleted or lost votes, changed votes, or was in any way compromised,” the officials emphasized. 

Krebs tweeted from his personal account Tuesday evening that he was “honored to serve.”

“We did it right. Defend Today, Secure Tomrorow,” he added. 

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Krebs had been at DHS since 2017. Prior to his time in federal government, he served as the director of cybersecurity policy on Microsoft’s government affairs team. He has focused on issues including shoring up election security and protecting critical infrastructure from attack, among other cyber initiatives.

Krebs’s removal will leave a tremendous void atop the federal agency that has served as a leading driver in the effort to secure U.S. elections and other cybersecurity priorities. He earned bipartisan acclaim during his time serving in the Trump administration and has been a trusted voice among security officials. 

Democrats pushed back hard against the decision to fire Krebs.

Senate Intelligence Committee Vice Chairman Mark WarnerMark Robert WarnerTop cybersecurity official ousted by Trump Hillicon Valley: Zuckerberg and Dorsey return for another hearing | House passes 5G funding bill | Twitter introduces ‘fleets’ House approves legislation providing 0 million to boost US 5G efforts MORE (D-Va.) tweeted that “Chris Krebs is an extraordinary public servant and exactly the person Americans want protecting the security of our elections. It speaks volumes that the president chose to fire him simply for telling the truth.”

House Intelligence Committee Chairman Adam SchiffAdam Bennett SchiffTop cybersecurity official ousted by Trump Devin Nunes fends off Democratic opponent in California Trump begins Election Day with confident predictions on Fox News MORE (D-Calif.) called it “pathetic.”

“Throughout this election, the CISA and Director Krebs have worked diligently to safeguard our elections, provide vital support to state and local election officials, and inform the American people about what was true and what was not. In the best tradition of government service, they spoke truth to power and helped keep Americans and our institutions safe,” Schiff said in a statement.

“Instead of rewarding this great service, President Trump is retaliating against Director Krebs and other officials who did their duty,” he added. “It’s pathetic, but sadly predictable that upholding and protecting our democratic processes would be cause for firing.

Sen. Angus KingAngus KingTop cybersecurity official ousted by Trump Republicans start turning the page on Trump era Biden considering King for director of national intelligence: report MORE (I-Maine), who caucuses with Senate Democrats and serves as co-chairman of the congressionally established Cyberspace Solarium Commission, strongly condemned Krebs’s firing. King is a potential candidate to serve as director of national intelligence under Biden.

“By firing Mr. Krebs for simply doing his job, President Trump is inflicting severe damage on all Americans — who rely on CISA’s defenses, even if they don’t know it,” King said in a statement. “If there’s any silver lining in this unjust decision, it’s this: I hope that President-elect Biden will recognize Chris’s contributions, and consult with him as the Biden administration charts the future of this critically important agency.”

Sen. Amy KlobucharAmy KlobucharTop cybersecurity official ousted by Trump Lawmakers question tech CEOs about content moderation in first post-election hearing Democratic senators urge Facebook to take action on anti-Muslim bigotry MORE (D-Minn.), ranking member of the Senate Rules Committee with jurisdiction over elections, said in a statement that “President Trump’s firing of Christopher Krebs is a gut punch to our democracy. Director Krebs has been praised by both Republicans and Democrats at the state and national level for protecting our nation’s critical infrastructure, including our election systems.”

Sen. Ben SasseBen SasseGOP senator: Trump shouldn’t fire top cybersecurity official Top cybersecurity official ousted by Trump Lawmakers question tech CEOs about content moderation in first post-election hearing MORE (R-Neb.), a member of the Senate Intelligence Committee, was one of the first Republicans to publicly condemn Krebs’s firing.

“Chris Krebs did a really good job — as state election officials all across the nation will tell you — and he obviously should not be fired. I’m particularly grateful for the work he did on the Cyber Solarium Commission to help the nation prepare for the future of war,” Sasse said in a statement. 

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Former Senate Intelligence Committee Chairman Richard BurrRichard Mauze BurrGOP senator: Trump shouldn’t fire top cybersecurity official Top cybersecurity official ousted by Trump Rick Scott running to chair Senate GOP campaign arm MORE (R-N.C.), who worked with Krebs before stepping down from leading the panel, praised Krebs for his efforts but stopped short of criticizing Trump for firing him.

“Chris Krebs is a dedicated public servant who has done a remarkable job during a challenging time,” Burr said in a statement. “Chris and his team at CISA have worked diligently to strengthen our election infrastructure, helping to shore up vulnerabilities and build trust between State and Federal Governments. The creative and innovative campaign CISA developed to promote cybersecurity should serve as a model for other government agencies. Their efforts were essential in protecting the 2020 U.S. presidential election against threats of foreign interference. I’m grateful for all Chris has done and I wish him the best in his next chapter.”

Krebs’s departure adds to a growing list of Trump administration officials who have been fired or stepped down in the wake of the general election, with Trump firing Defense Secretary Mark EsperMark EsperTop cybersecurity official ousted by Trump Overnight Defense: Trump orders troop drawdown in Afghanistan and Iraq | Key Republicans call Trump plan a ‘mistake’ Top Democrat calls Trump’s Afghan drawdown ‘the right policy decision’ as others warn of ‘mistake’ MORE and eying letting go CIA Director Gina HaspelGina Cheri HaspelTop cybersecurity official ousted by Trump McConnell: ‘Precipitous drawdown’ in Afghanistan, Iraq ‘a mistake’ Heads roll as Trump launches post-election purge MORE and FBI Director Christopher Wray.

Trump has claimed without evidence that there was widespread voter fraud in the election and has refused to concede to Biden. Major news outlets projected Biden as the winner on Nov. 7.

Trump has through his Twitter account endorsed a baseless theory that Dominion Voting System, a voting software company used in several states, switched votes from him to Biden. Krebs has publicly pushed back on theories that votes were manipulated.

“ICYMI: On allegations that election systems were manipulated, 59 election security experts all agree, ‘in every case of which we are aware, these claims either have been unsubstantiated or are technically incoherent.’ #Protect2020,” Krebs tweeted earlier Tuesday. 

Updated at 8:52 p.m.

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A former WWE Superstar was arrested for multiple traffic violations last month.

Pro wrestling veteran John Nord was reportedly arrested on March 23rd and placed in custody. He was arrested on two charges — a felony for driving while intoxicated/operating a car under the influence of a controlled substance, and a gross misdemeanor for driving after his license was canceled, which he was deemed “inimical to public safety.”

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Nord, who was best known as ‘The Berzerker,’ was placed on a $60,000 bond for the felony DWI charge.

Check out details on John Nord’s arrest below.

Former WWE star John "The Berzerker" Nord arrested for DUI and placed in custody. pic.twitter.com/ViBA9YOxUX

— Pancakes & Powerslams (@CraveWrestling) April 13, 2019

• UPDATE: What Will Paige’s SURPRISE Be For The Ilconics?

(Follow us on Twitter @RajahNews or myself, Matt Boone, @MattBoone1984 for more exclusive backstage wrestling news and rumors!)