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COVID-19 vaccines are a significant concern worldwide ever since the beginning of the coronavirus crisis. By the end of 2020, different COVID-19 vaccines were approved and recommended by the American Food and Drug Authority (FDA).
In this article, you’ll find a brief introduction and comparison of different COVID-19 vaccines available at present.
Authorized and Recommended COVID-19 Vaccines
Around 212 vaccines were developed by different vaccine candidates worldwide. After the rigorous testing procedure for safety and efficacy, FDA approves vaccines in the final step. After that, only those vaccines are considered safe and recommended for use, that FDA approves.
According to CDC, there are three approved and recommended COVID-19 vaccines in the United States to combat COVID-19:
- Pfizer-BioNTech
- Moderna
- Johnson and Johnson/ Janssen
COVID-19 Vaccines: Not Available in the United States Yet
Some COVID-19 vaccines are still in Phase 3 Clinical Trials and are not available for use in the United States. However, they are in use in the United Kingdom and other countries for emergency use. So, these vaccines include:
- Oxford-AstraZeneca
- Novavax
Different Corona Virus Vaccines – A Quick and Brief Comparison
Different COVID- 19 vaccines certainly work in a different way to provide protection against COVID-19. The efficacy of the coronavirus vaccines also differs. So, here is a brief comparison of COVID-19 vaccines:
| COVID-19 Vaccine | Type | Efficacy | Age Indicators | Number of shots and intervals | Time required for immunization | Administration route | Status |
| Pfizer-BioNTech | mRNA vaccine | 95% effective in serious COVID-19 patients | 16 years and older | 2 shots (21 days apart) | 2 weeks after second shot | Intramuscular injection | Approved by FDA |
| Moderna | mRNA vaccine | 94% effective in serious COVID-19 patients | 18 years and older | 2 shots (28 days apart) | 2 weeks after second shot | Intramuscular injection | Approved by FDA |
| Johnson and Johnson | Viral vector vaccine | 85% effective for serious COVID-19 patients | 18 years and older | 1 shot | 2 weeks after shot | Intramuscular injection | Approved by FDA |
| Oxford-AstraZeneca | Viral vector vaccine | 76% effective against mild disease, 100% effective against severe disease | 18 years and older | 2 shots (4 to 12 weeks apart) | 2 weeks after second shot | Intramuscular injection | In phase 3 clinical trials, not approved in US yet |
| Novavax | Protein adjuvent | 100% effective against severe disease caused due to the original strain of COVID-19 | 18 years and older | 2 shots (21 days apart) | 2 weeks after second shot | Intramuscular injection | In phase 3 clinical trials, not approved in US yet |
These vaccines are named so because:
Viral Vector Vaccines: Viral vector vaccines contain a modified version of the COVID-19 virus that is present in the vector. The vector is inserted by vaccination in the body. Thus, it activates the immune system to produce antibodies that strengthen the immune system.
mRNA Vaccines: mRNA vaccines contain the RNA segment of the COVID-19, which is used to produce spike protein, which acts as an antigen. In this way, they help in building immunity against coronavirus.
Protein Adjuvent: Protein adjuvant vaccines also contain a protein from the COVID-19 virus that acts as an antigen to trigger antibodies’ production that immunizes your body against COVID-19.
Is Johnson and Johnson Single Dose Vaccine Better Than Other Corona Virus Vaccines?
Many experts are considering Johnson and Johnson single-dose vaccine as the game-changer. Because it’s a single-dose vaccine and has shown great effectiveness against COVID-19.
Though there is no comparison for effectiveness among different COVID-19 vaccines, FDA approves them. You should always consult a doctor before getting the vaccine shot. Here are some of the reasons to clarify why experts say Johnson and Johnson is the game-changer.
- It’s comparatively easy to administer a single dose vaccine from a clinical perspective.
- The clinical trials for all the approved vaccines were designed in a different way and also for different times. Indeed, Moderna and Pfizer are considered 95% effective in preventing illness. But the clinical trials were done in the summer, and at that time, new variants were not identified. So, these mRNA vaccines might not be this much effective against new stains. Johnson and Johnson is recently tested and approved so that you can expect better protection with it against new variants.
- Johnson and Johnson is much easier to store and distribute. In contrast to Moderna and Pfizer, it is easy to keep Johnson and Johnson at a much warmer temperature and for a longer duration.
COVID-19 Vaccines Side Effects
COVID-19 vaccine side effects are part of the immunization process. Moreover, side effects indicate that your body is building protection against the deadly virus. So, here are some of the most common side effects of COVID-19 vaccines:
- Pain
- Redness
- Swelling
- Tiredness
- Nausea
- Headache
- Muscle pain
- Chills
- Fever
Side effects due to the second dose may be more intense, and you should visit a doctor if they get worse after 24 hours.
At Hudson Pharmacy, we offer Johnson and Johnson vaccine to help you build strong immunity against COVID-19.
