The Pfizer and Moderna vaccines are messenger RNA vaccines that deliver a bit of genetic code to cells. Each COVID-19 vaccine is unique, and all of them may help prevent the spread of the disease. Moderna and Pfizer vaccines received emergency use authorization (EUA) from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for COVID-19 and are being administered in many countries, including the U.S. The vaccines are based on the pre-existing immunity proportion of individuals as a result of previous infection or vaccination. People will likely not be able to choose which vaccine to get. This article will be helpful to know how each of them is different.

The Moderna COVID-19 (Spikevax) (mRNA-1273) Vaccine

The Moderna vaccine was the second one authorized for emergency use in the U.S. on December 18, 2020. On January 31, 2022, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved the Moderna (Spikevax) COVID-19 vaccine for people aged 18 and above. Companies can market vaccines under brand names once the FDA has approved them. The Moderna COVID-19 vaccine is marketed under the brand name Spikevax. However, the vaccine's formula remains the same. The Moderna COVID-19 Vaccineoffers protection against Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) caused by SARS-CoV-2. The SAGE or Strategic Advisory Group of Experts, the group that advises WHO on Immunization, has approved the use of the Moderna vaccine against COVID-19 patients. Moderna is proud to be among the many leading groups, and it works to respond to infectious disease and continues to serve its part in this global health emergency.

Ingredients in Moderna Vaccine:

The Moderna COVID-19 Vaccine contains the following ingredients:

Messenger ribonucleic acid (mRNA).
Lipids (SM-102, polyethylene glycol [PEG] 2000 dimyristoyl glycerol [DMG]).
Cholesterol and 1,2-stearoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine (DSPC).
Tromethamine.
Tromethamine hydrochloride.
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Acetic acid.
Sodium acetate trihydrate.
Sucrose.

Moderna Recommended For:

It has been approved for usage in 18 years or older by The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, United States (CDC), and 6 years or older by The European Medicines Agency.

Moderna Dosage:

The WHO Strategic Advisory Group of Experts recommends the use of the Moderna mRNA-1273 vaccine at a schedule of two doses (100 µg, 0.5 ml each) administered intramuscularly eight weeks apart. Also, a third dose at least one month after the second dose is recommended for immunocompromised people. If you receive one dose of the Moderna COVID-19 Vaccine, the same product should be used for both doses a month later to complete the vaccination series. Moderna has a much larger dose of vaccine, 100 micrograms. The company is using a little more than three times the dosage of vaccine per person. The government’s vaccine development program has asked Moderna to test if it could lower its vaccine dosage without eroding the vaccine’s protection. A booster dose of 0.28 mL of the Moderna vaccine is recommended 6 months after the primary vaccination series in people older than 65 years and people above the age of 18 years who are at a high risk of severe COVID-19 and frequent occupational exposure to the virus.

Moderna the Safe Vaccine:

Moderna has been authorized to use across the European Union as the EMA has thoroughly gone through the quality, safety, and efficacy of the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine. The WHO Strategic Advisory Group of Experts recommends observing all the vaccines for at least 15 minutes after vaccination because people who experience an immediate severe allergic reaction to the first dose should not receive additional doses. Longer-term safety assessment involves prolonged monitoring of the participants and uninterrupted supervision of the resulting effects or negative effects of those being vaccinated in the rollout. The Global Advisory Committee on Vaccine Safety provides independent and authoritative guides to the WHO on risk-free vaccine use and obtains and evaluates reports of alleged safety events.

Moderna Efficacy:

The Moderna vaccine has been shown to work efficiently, commencing 14 days after the first dose with approximately 92 % of shelter from COVID-19. After the second dose, the Moderna vaccine was 94.1 % effective at preventing symptomatic Covid-19. People 65 years and above are noted to have a slightly lower vaccine efficacy. The company explained the numbers influenced by the fact, and there were few cases in that age group in the trial during a presentation to the Food and Drug Administration’s advisory committee. The vaccine became equally effective across different ethnic and racial groups.

Transmission and New Variants:

There is only a minor impact on preventing mild infections and transmission, especially in the context of Omicron. Immunity lasts for several months, but the exact duration is unknown. A booster dose of the vaccine restores its effectiveness against Omicron, particularly against severe disease. Simultaneously, we should maintain public health measures, such as masking, physical distancing, handwashing, respiratory and cough hygiene, avoiding crowds, and ensuring good ventilation. The variants of SARS-CoV-2 B.1.1.7 (Alpha), 501Y.V2 (Beta), B.1.617.2 (Delta), B.1.525 (Eta), and B.1.617.1 (Kappa) fail to amend the Moderna mRNA vaccine's effectiveness. But the vaccine was found to be two times weaker against the Delta variant compared to the effect against the original SARS-CoV-2. Researchers are monitoring, collecting, and analyzing data on new variants and undergoing the analysis of COVID-19 diagnostics, treatments, and vaccines.

Storage Requirements:

The mRNA vaccines require a cold chain, which is used to describe the conditions under which vaccines must be stored during distribution. The Moderna vaccine can be shipped and kept in long-term storage, which makes it easier to distribute and store. Moderna must be shipped at -4 degrees Fahrenheit, which is within a regular refrigerator freezer's temperature. Moderna is stable for 30 days at fridge temperature and for 12 hours at room temperature.

Side Effects of Moderna Vaccine:

The Moderna COVID-19 vaccine may cause allergic reactions, and it can occur within a few minutes to one hour after getting a dose. So the vaccination provider will ask you to stay for monitoring after vaccination. It can also be associated with a bad rash all over your body, fever, dizziness, weakness, and injection site reactions, such as pain, tenderness, swelling of the lymph nodes in the arm of the injection, swelling, redness, fatigue, headache, muscle pain, chills. It is important to note that the FDA has issued a warning stating the occurrence of a possible but uncommon side effect of inflammation of the heart (myocarditis and pericarditis) in young adults vaccinated with the Modera Vaccine.

The Pfizer-BioNTech (COMIRNATY) COVID-19 Vaccine:

On December 11, 2020, the company gave positive data, which included that the vaccine was 95% effective. The Food and Drug Administration gave the first emergency use authorization (EUA) for the Pfizer vaccine. Pfizer vaccines safeguard from the coronavirus disease caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). The FDA approved the use of this vaccine in individuals aged 16 years and above in August 2021. The Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine is marketed under the brand name COMIRNATY. Following FDA approval, the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine for people aged 16 and above was marketed as COMIRNATY. The vaccine's formula was not altered as a result of the name change. Because the vaccine is authorised but not yet approved for the age group of 5 to 15 years, the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine label will remain the same.

Ingredients in Pfizer-BioNTech Vaccine:

mRNA.
Lipids ((4-hydroxybutyl)azanediyl)bis(hexane-6,1-diyl)bis(2-hexyldecanoic), 2 ((polyethylene glycol)-2000)-N.
N-tetradecyl acetamide, 1,2-Distearoyl-sn-glycero-3- phosphocholine, and cholesterol). potassium chloride.
Monobasic potassium phosphate.
Sodium chloride.
Dibasic sodium phosphate dihydrate.
Sucrose.

Pfizer Recommended For:

The Pfizer vaccine has been given permission for use in people 16 years of age and older and subsequently in children of 12 to 16 years of age and in the pediatric population of ages 5 through 11 years, with a change in the recommended dosage. Now the company is testing the vaccine’s efficacy in infants and children up to the age of 5.

Pfizer Dosage:

Pfizer vaccines require two shots, a priming dose, and a booster dose. The interval between the doses in Pfizer is three to eight weeks. Pfizer contains 30 micrograms in each dose for adults and 10 micrograms each of two shots for the pediatric population.

The FDA has also approved a single booster dose 6 months after the primary dose in people older than 65 years of age and individuals aged 18 and above who are at high risk of severe COVID-19 and frequent occupational exposure to coronavirus. A third dose of the vaccine is available for use in immunocompromised individuals.

Pfizer Efficacy:

The Pfizer vaccine has an efficacy of 95 % at preventing Covid infection after two doses. The vaccine is highly protective against age groups and races. Pfizer started counting cases from seven days of the second dose of vaccine.

Storage Requirements:

It is stored in ultracold containers at -94 degrees Fahrenheit. The FDA announced that this vaccine could be shipped and stored for a two weeks period only.

Side Effects of Pfizer Vaccine:

The side effects ofPfizer are fever, allergic reactions on the site of injection, chills, headache, pain, tiredness, joint pain, nausea, vomiting, difficulty in breathing, rashes, and tenderness. Similar to the Moderna vaccine, Pfizer is also reported to cause heart inflammation (myocarditis and pericarditis) in young adults. This is a rare but possible side effect.

Records of Vaccination:

The vaccination provider includes the vaccination details in the local jurisdiction’s Immunization Information System (IIS) or other designated systems. This will help you to receive the same vaccine when you return for the second dose.

Conclusion:

Vaccination helps to prevent diseases in individuals and greatly reduces the disease’s morbidity and mortality. Vaccinating symbolizes ample healthcare benefits and helps to meet the need for care for the weakest members of society. Even if we are vaccinated, wearing masks, maintaining physical distance, and avoiding frequent contact with eyes and face are recommended.