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Two are already approved in the EU, the third vaccine (from AstraZeneca) received emergency approval in Britain: all are supposed to stimulate the immune system to produce antibodies against the SARS-CoV-2 virus. Despite this same goal, not all vaccines are created equal. In previous studies, the emphasis was on efficacy and tolerability.
It is not yet clear which vaccine is best suited for which age group. For example, in subjects older than 65 years, the rate of protection with Moderna was slightly lower (86.4%) than with BioNTech-Pfizer (94.7%). Studies are also needed in children, pregnant women, people with autoimmune diseases or high allergic sensitivity.
An overview of the most important aspects of the mode of action, protection rate, logistics of individual vaccines, and side effects.
BioNTech / Pfizer vaccine
Action mode: BioNTech / Pfizer developed an mRNA vaccine (“m” stands for messenger, in English for “messenger”; “RNA” for ribonucleic acid). With mRNA, vaccines contain the building instructions for a significant part of the Covid-19 pathogen. On this basis, the cells produce the surface protein of the virus. The body develops its immune response against this. The mRNA is not incorporated into the human genome.
Protection rate: According to the results of the study, it is 95 percent. It is not yet clear whether people who have been vaccinated can still become infected with the virus and transmit it. “An efficacy greater than 90 percent is a sign that you are well protected against infection,” independent vaccination expert Otfried Kistner tells KURIER. If the transmission of the infection had been carefully verified in the study, it would have cost additional time. However, the main objective was to examine efficacy and tolerability.
Logistics: The BioNTech-Pfizer vaccine must be stored at minus 70 degrees Celsius and can be kept for six months. Once thawed, it must be vaccinated within five days, once a vial is opened, only a few hours remain.
Modern vaccine
Action mode: The American company’s vaccine is also based on mRNA technology and works in a similar way to BioNTech / Pfizer. Vaccine expert Kistner explains the advantage as follows: “Once the mRNA messengers have done their job, they are broken down in the body.” Even if mRNA vaccines for humans had not been approved before these two, the technology has been investigated in studies for years. , for example, for new approaches in cancer therapy.
Protection rate: Study results show 94.1 percent effectiveness for the Moderna vaccine. Its efficacy is almost identical to that of the BioNTech Pfizer vaccine.
Logistics: At this point, Moderna’s vaccine, which works on the same principle, has an advantage over BioNTech-Pfizer’s. With a storage temperature of minus 20 degrees, it doesn’t have to be so cold. The vaccine is stable for 30 days at refrigerator temperature and 12 hours at room temperature. The vaccine, like the one from BionTech-Pfizer, must be used within six hours of first use. One vial is sufficient for five to a maximum of six doses at Biontech-Pfizer and ten at Moderna.
AstraZeneca vaccine
Action mode: The British-Swedish product is a vector vaccine. The technique is already known from other vaccines. A carrier virus (“vector”) is used that is harmless to humans. It is genetically modified in such a way that it superficially resembles the virus that causes the disease. However, the immune system successfully forms antibodies. “The downside here is that the body also makes antibodies against the vector, which means less vaccine gets into the cells. If you get the full dose twice, the second might be less effective, ”says Kistner.
Protection rate: The AstraZeneca vaccine is based on various efficacy data, ranging from 62 to 90 percent. This is because different vaccination strategies were used in the studies (eg two full doses, a lower starting dose (half), etc.). Average effectiveness is 70 percent. According to the WHO, this is sufficient for adequate protection.
Logistics: According to experts, there is a clear advantage over mRNA vaccines. Vector vaccines have proven schedules and can be stored at normal refrigerator temperatures.
An overview of the side effects
There is no vaccine without side effects, that’s what Otfried Kistner says on this point. Local side effects at the injection site can always occur due to the injection itself, depending on the sensitivity.
Fever or headache can also be expected – the immune system reacts. However, these symptoms would go away on their own in a few days. According to the expert, no undesirable side effects that go beyond this would have been found with the Covid vaccines in the groups examined.
