Almost a year following the infamous shutdown, the United States is finally working to vaccinate the entire country. With two vaccines out and another one on the way, herd immunity is starting to look like a real possibility. We have collected information from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), as well as health experts to answer some pressing questions about these new vaccines.
What vaccines are currently available?
Currently, in the United States, you have the option between the Moderna vaccine and the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine. Both are mRNA-based, two-dose vaccines that require follow-up visits to get full protection. The Moderna vaccine requires you to get the second dose 28 days after your first. The Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine has a slightly shorter schedule of 21 days for your second dose. The CDC recommends you get the second-dose as close to this timeline as possible; however, second doses are available up to six weeks after your first dose of either vaccine but are not available before the specified timeframe.
What about the new Johnson&Johnson/Janssen vaccine?
On February 24, the FDA announced that Johnson&Johnson’s (J&J) single-dose vaccine had met the requirements for emergency use authorization. This vaccine was created by the Janssen Pharmaceutical Companies of J&J. This means the United States will soon have access to yet another vaccine to prevent COVID-19.
Unlike the Moderna and Pfizer vaccines, which use mRNA technology, J&J has an adenovirus vector vaccine. This vaccine technology has been thoroughly researched since the 1970s and is used in many vaccines we have today including vaccines for HIV, Ebola, Zika, and the flu. To make the vaccine, scientists take a harmless adenovirus and replace a part of its genetic information with instructions for the coronavirus genes for the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein. Once someone is given this vaccine, the adenovirus enters the person’s cells. The cells then begin to create the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein, which is the cause of the widespread infection. The person’s immune system will recognize there are foreign proteins present, which will initiate the production of antibodies, protecting the person if they are ever again exposed to SARS-CoV-2 in the future.
Another difference between the J&J vaccine and mRNA vaccines is shipping and storage. The J&J vaccine can be stored in refrigerators for up to three months which makes it easier to distribute than the mRNA vaccines that require subzero temperatures.
Is there an age restriction for the vaccine?
Yes. The Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine is approved for individuals 16 years of age or older. The Moderna and J&J vaccines are approved for individuals 18 years or older.
If I already had COVID-19, should I still get the vaccine?
Yes. It is still unclear how long people are protected from reinfection after they have had COVID-19; therefore, it is recommended that people still get the vaccine, even if they have recovered from the virus.
Which vaccine is most effective?
The Moderna and Pfizer-BioNTech vaccines have shown similar effectiveness through trials (about 95% effective). The new J&J vaccine has shown 66% effectiveness in reducing moderate to severe infection. However, it was 85% effective in preventing severe disease and 100% effective in preventing hospitalizations and deaths. It is important to note that the effectiveness of medical products such as drugs and vaccines cannot truly be compared unless they are in head-to-head clinical trials. All of these vaccines were tested in different locations during different times, with a few other variants making their effectiveness incomparable.
Do I still need to wear a mask after I have received the vaccine?
Yes. The vaccine was designed to prevent individuals from getting sick. It was not designed nor tested to decrease transmission rates among the public. It is unclear whether those with the vaccine can still spread the virus. Until we know more about how the vaccine affects transmission rates, it is important to reduce the spread in other ways. Therefore, the CDC recommends individuals should still practice social distancing, mask-wearing, and other safety precautions to limit the spread of COVID-19.
How long am I protected after I get the vaccine?
This answer, like most long-term questions regarding COVID-19, is still unclear. However, experts still encourage everyone eligible to get the vaccine once it becomes available to them.
Can pregnant women or breastfeeding women get the vaccine?
Yes. There is very limited data regarding the vaccine and pregnant women. However, it is encouraged that if you are pregnant/breastfeeding and work in a high-risk environment that you consult with your doctor about getting the vaccine. The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists advise that pregnant and breastfeeding women should not be withheld from getting the vaccine.
Will the vaccine protect against new variants?
The answer to this is still unclear, although early evidence may suggest that the Pfizer-BioNTech mRNA vaccine is effective against new variants of the virus. The Moderna mRNA vaccine is still going through testing against the new variants. Both of these vaccines were tested and distributed earlier, so they were not exposed to the new variants. The J&J vaccine went through clinical trials more recently, so its effectiveness does take into account other variants of this virus.
If you have any unanswered questions, please check out the fact sheets for the individual vaccines (Moderna, Pfizer-BioNTech, Johnson&Johnson) or the CDC’s website for more information.
Be First to Comment