To get a COVID-19 vaccine in Baden-Württemberg or not to get? And if I do, which one is the best for me? – that’s what’s circulating in the global society for sometime now. And while the Shakespeare question still remains, the massive immunisation is still in progress. Still, there are many people who simply don’t trust these unique, miracle-making jabs, and refuse going in front of the camera to advertise this. But if we’re realistic, that’s the only decision scientists may come to for such a short period of time. They aren’t going to invent any alternatives.
There are 4 types of vaccines authorized for common use in the EU: Pfizer-BioNTech, Moderna, Oxford-AstraZeneca and Johnson & Johnson Janssen. Both Pfizer-BioNTech (Comirnaty) and Moderna are messenger RNA (mRNa) vaccines, which basically means they contain the genetic code (mRNA) of the spike protein on the surface of the SARS-CoV-2 virus. When entering human bodies, they teach our cells how to recognize it, and produce antibodies, in order to protect us.
Unlike them, Oxford-AstraZeneca and Johnson & Johnson Janssen vaccine are viral vector DNA vaccines and don’t contain any part of the COVID-19 virus itself, but a tiny part of a modified different virus (vector), which again sends instructions for making a protein that will trigger an immune response. The Oxford-AstraZeneca and Johnson & Johnson Janssen COVID-19 vaccines use a chimpanzee common cold viral vector, called adenovirus, also known as ChAdOx1.
So let us all take our time in weighing the pros and cons of the approved vaccines that went through all stages of testing, having in mind that currently 74 vaccines are now in clinical trials on humans, and 21 have reached the finals.
Pros:
- Consists of 2 shots, 21 days apart in the muscle of the upper arm. Each dose is 0.3 ml. Each vial contains up to 6 doses.
- 95% effective in preventing COVID-19 1 week after the second dose.
Cons:
- Recommended for people, aged over 16
- Mild to moderate side effects, like fever, muscular pain, tiredness can occur within 7 days after being vaccinated.
- You must store it at temperatures between -80ºC and -60ºC up to 6 months, shipped in specially designed containers for up to 30 days and can be refrigerated before mixing up to 5 days.
- Moderna.
Pros:
- Consists of 2 shots, one month (28 days) apart in the muscle of the upper arm. Each dose is 0.5 ml. Each vial contains up to 10 doses.
- 94.1% effective at preventing laboratory-confirmed COVID-19 illness in people who received two doses who had no evidence of being previously infected.
Cons:
- Recommended for people, aged over 18
- Mild to moderate side effects, like fever, muscular pain, tiredness can occur within 7 days after being vaccinated.
- Storage and shipment must be at temperatures between -25ºC and -15ºC up to 6 months, can be stored in a standard refrigerator up to 30 days and refrigerated up to 12 hours.
Pros:
- Consists of 2 shots, 4 – 12 weeks apart in the muscle of the upper arm. Each dose is 0.4 ml/0,5 ml. Each vial contains up to 8/10 doses.
- 84,2% effective at preventing laboratory-confirmed COVID-19 illness in people who received two doses .
Cons:
- Recommended for people, aged over 18
- Mild to moderate side effects, like fever, muscular pain, tiredness can occur within 7 days after being vaccinated.
- Doesn’t require any special storage. Can be stored in a standard refrigerator up to 6 months, up to 6 hours after vials opening.
- Janssen Johnson & Johnson
Pros:
- A single-dose vaccine, put in the muscle of the upper arm. Each dose is 0,5 ml. Each vial contains up to 5 doses.
- 66,1% effective at preventing laboratory-confirmed COVID-19 cases.
Cons:
- Recommended for people, aged over 18
- Mild to moderate side effects, like fever, muscular pain, tiredness can occur within 2-3 days after being vaccinated.
- Doesn’t require any special storage. Can be stored in a standard refrigerator up to 3 months, up to 6 hours after vials opening.
However, if you have a severe allergic reaction to any ingredient of this vaccine, then it’s not an option for you. In most countries, the decision among the 4 finalists is not entirely in your hands, and only getting a vaccine, available at the moment, is vulnerable.
Reaching the global herd community against coronavirus is only possible only if we all participate in the whole process, and although it’s still a long-term goal we’re all looking forward to it. Apart from that, it is presumed that once you get infected, you will be protected from further infections, or at least you’ll have less severe disease. So stay informed, choose wisely and no matter what you do, stay safe!
MVS Pharma GmbH is an innovative pharmaceutical start-up company, which researches in the area of reducing viruses and bacteria with plant based aerosols. Their special formula ensures the purity and the stability of the used ingredients during storage.
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