How does one vaccine compare to another?

Pfizer, Moderna, and AstraZeneca are three manufacturers of vaccines to provide protection from COVID-19. What do they have in common and how are they different?

mRNA Vaccines

https://www.statnews.com/2020/12/19/a-side-by-side-comparison-of-the-pfizer-biontech-and-moderna-vaccines/ Both Pfizer and Moderna have vaccines using mRNA experimental technology. This is the world’s first time using this technology. AstraZeneca is more of an immune booster than a vaccine. However, it uses the old tried and true method for developing vaccines – adenoviral vectors.

Many people have discomfort about mRNA technology and the quickness that these two vaccines were made available to the public. Yes, there is a medical crisis, a pandemic, sweeping the world and the benefits outweigh the risks, according to many.

AstraZeneca Vaccine

https://www.npr.org/sections/coronavirus-live-updates/2020/12/21/948806643/vatican-oks-receiving-covid-19-vaccines-even-if-research-involved-fetal-tissue Some people will not take the AstraZeneca vaccine because aborted human fetal tissue was used in the development.

The Pope declared that Catholics may receive this vaccine despite the usage of aborted tissue. (https://www.npr.org/sections/coronavirus-live-updates/2020/12/21/948806643/vatican-oks-receiving-covid-19-vaccines-even-if-research-involved-fetal-tissue) The Vatican released the statement, “when ethically irreproachable Covid-19 vaccines are not available … it is morally acceptable to receive Covid-19 vaccines that have used cell lines from aborted fetuses in their research and production process.”

Efficacy

https://www.idsociety.org/covid-19-real-time-learning-network/vaccines/moderna-covid-19-vaccine/ and https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140-6736(20)32623-4/fulltext These two links plus the previous link to Pfizer indicate that both Pfizer and Moderna achieved around 95% efficacy, or it met its designed and desired target to prevent infection from SARS-CoV-2. AstraZeneca tests indicate between 62 and 90% effectiveness.

Storage

Links given previously provide many details in addition to the focus of the initial topic paragraph. Pfizer’s mRNA must store their vaccine at minus-94 degrees F. Moderna’s mRNA vaccine should be stored at minus-4 degrees F. The AstraZeneca vaccine can be stored between 36- and 46-degrees F.

Shelf-life

The shelf-life of Pfizer’s vaccine is 5 days. The shelf-life of Moderna’s vaccine is one month. And the shelf-life of AstraZeneca is 6 months.

Cost per Dose

The cost per dose of Pfizer’s vaccine is $19.50 and the cost of Moderna’s vaccine is $32-37. The cost of AstraZeneca’s vaccine is $3-4.

For-Profit?

I thought this was interesting in that both Pfizer and Moderna have their products structured for profit during initial rollouts and distribution worldwide. Whereas, AstraZeneca has decided to postpone profits until the end of the current pandemic. (source: American Council on Science and Health – https://acsh.org).

Doses Manufactured by end of 2020

Pfizer has planned to produce 50 million doses of its mRNA vaccine by the end of December. Moderna has promised production of 20 million doses of its vaccine by the end of this year (literally a week away). AstraZeneca has planned to manufacture 200 million doses by the end of 2020.

Conclusion

There are many factors at play as you can see when comparing one vaccine to another. Many of the initial vaccines are offered free to the individual and their insurance companies will be billed accordingly. The same can be said for COVID-19 testing. Tests cost money and the individual benefits, but the insurance company pays.

Is there anything unsafe about these three COVID-19 vaccines? One would expect not because of the extensive testing done. However, comparing pre-COVID-19 vaccine testing to the current expedited testing and emergency use authorizations, can something slip through the crack? Yes, I am certain it can. But do the benefits outweigh the risks. Time will tell.

Live Longer & Enjoy Life! – Red O’Laughlin – RedOLaughlin.com

 

 

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