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The British BBC provides basic information on COVID-19 vaccines, vaccines and their manufacturers.
Why do we need a vaccine?
It has been more than a year since the first reports of the coronavirus were discovered, but the majority of the public may still be affected.
The limitations in our daily life are the only thing that stops the virus because it reduces its chances of spreading.
„Reuters“ / „Scanpix“ nuotr./Koronavirusas
Meanwhile, vaccines have “learned” our bodies to fight infection and are the most effective way out of a pandemic.
The big three
The leaders in vaccine production today are Pfizer with BioNTech, Moderna and AstraZeneca, along with the University of Oxford.
The first two manufacturers developed so-called mRNA vaccines. Vaccines of this nature do not yet exist.
“Scanpix” / AP nuotr./ “Pfizer-BioNTech” vakcina nuo koronaviruso
These are vaccines that carry a small piece of the virus’s genetic code into the body, causing the human body to produce a coronavirus-specific protein and then antibodies.
Both vaccines have already been approved in the United Kingdom, the European Union and the United States.
“Reuters” / “Scanpix” nuotr./Moderna “vakcina
AstraZeneca and the University of Oxford have different vaccines. It uses a harmless virus, thus transmitting its genetic material to the body.
This vaccine has been approved in the UK and Europe. The vaccine is the most convenient from a logistical point of view because it can be stored in the refrigerator and does not require extremely low temperatures.
All three vaccines require two doses, but the UK has adopted a different strategy of vaccinating the population, injecting as many people as possible with the first dose but delaying the second.
Reuters / Photo by Scanpix / AstraZeneca Headquarters
Two new vaccines
The results of large-scale studies with two more vaccines have recently been published. Drug market regulators will review studies by Janssen (Johnson & Johnson) and Novavax before allowing these vaccines to be administered to humans.
The Janssen vaccine is based on the same technology as AstraZeneca, but a single dose is sufficient to achieve immunity.
„Reuters“ / „Scanpix“ nuotr./ used Johnson & Johnson “vakcina
This could give a significant boost to global vaccination, as Janssen vaccines can also be transported in a simple refrigerator, and the manufacturer plans to produce 1 billion doses in 2021.
Novavax uses a different, old-school approach to vaccines. This manufacturer’s vaccine is used to inject viral proteins and a chemical to prime the immune system.
Reuters / Scanpix photo / Novavax vaccine against COVID-19
Where is the rest of the world?
Although some vaccines produced in Europe and the United States are not used, they must also be considered.
Sinovac, CanSino and Sinopharm vaccines are being developed in China and sales agreements have been signed with countries in Asia and South America.
About a million people in China have already been vaccinated with Sinopharm.
„Reuters“ / „Scanpix“ nuotr./Sinopharm source “
The makers of the Sputnik V vaccine, developed in Russia, have published preliminary studies showing that the vaccine is effective.
Are all vaccines equally effective?
It is difficult to compare the manufacturers’ results because the vaccines were tested in slightly different ways and at different times.
However, all of the major vaccines greatly increase your chances of avoiding hospitalization or dying from COVID-19.
Erik Ovcharenko / 15min photo / Vaccination point installed in the old post office
However, one of the biggest questions, whether vaccines prevent a person from transmitting the coronavirus, remains unanswered.
Further research will help understand which vaccine works best when people are deliberately infected with the virus.
Varieties
New strains of coronavirus have started to spread from different parts of the world and this is of concern to everyone, including vaccine manufacturers.
Photo of the Kaunas clinics / Vaccination of patients and employees in the Kaunas clinics
Studies by Janssen and Novavax have shown that the efficacy of these vaccines has decreased in South Africa, where the COVID-19 strain has also spread.
However, the results of clinical trials in these manufacturers have remained good, but the existence of strains allows us to understand that the coronavirus is a moving target.
This means that other COVID-19 vaccines may be needed in the future.
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