5 different COVID-19 vaccines and who they are good for

The first wave of vaccines for coronavirus it will soon make landfall in the US, lots of questions on which one could get and, more specifically, when you may be able to get it. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has already prioritized which groups should get the first doses available of authorized COVID-19 vaccines (you can find out if you are between those priority groups here). However, more vaccines are on the way and, with them, more questions. Who will get those other vaccines, and how soon can you expect to be protected against COVID-19?

With more than a dozen COVID-19 vaccine candidates currently in advanced-stage clinical trials and dozens more not too far from them, it is clear that not everyone in the world will receive the same vaccine. Not only are there different manufacturers (AstraZeneca, Johnson & Johnson, Norovax, etc.), but each vaccine works a little differently from the others.

That means that some vaccines may be reserved for certain groups rather than others based on how the drugs work or how they are dispensed. For example, some single-dose vaccines may better serve sparsely populated rural communities, while city dwellers and suburbanites living closer to more healthcare providers may receive vaccines that require “booster” doses. later.

The vast majority of coronavirus vaccines are still in development and science continues to evolve, so nothing is set in stone. Here, we roughly paint a picture of what the future vaccine landscape will look like. We will continue to update this story as new information comes to light. This article is intended to be a general description and not a source of medical advice. For more information on coronavirus testing, here’s how to find a test site near you.

The First Two Possible Coronavirus Vaccines in the US: Pfizer, Moderna

What they are: Both Pfizer and Moderna vaccines are mRNA, or “genetic” vaccines, an entirely new class of drugs that are unstable at room temperature and must be kept frozen until just prior to dispensing.

When do You come: The UK has already approved and started distribution of the Pfizer vaccine. Canada too. In the U.S., Pfizer’s vaccine could be licensed in a few days and both are expected to be licensed by the Food and Drug Administration, almost certainly in January.

Who could they be better for: More than likely, nursing home staff and residents, and frontline healthcare workers. The first person in the UK to receive the Pfizer vaccine was Margaret Keenan, 90.

Refrigeration: Pfizer’s vaccine requires long-term storage colder than Antarctica: -94 degrees Fahrenheit. It can then be stored at normal refrigerator temperatures of 35 to 46 F for up to five days. Moderna needs temperatures that a commercial ULT freezer could probably handle for long-term storage: -4 degrees F. It stays at typical refrigerator temperatures (36 to 46 degrees F) for 30 days.

One or two takes: Two: Both vaccines require an initial dose followed by a booster several weeks later.

The University of Oxford / AstraZeneca vaccine is not far behind

What it is: Once a leader in the vaccine race, the coronavirus vaccine developed by the University of Oxford and British-Swedish pharmaceutical giant AstraZeneca has run into some snags that have delayed its application for authorization.

When it comes: Probably early 2021.

Who could be better for: Initially, people in India, where an AstraZeneca partner has already applied for authorization. Which groups get it in the US may depend on when it’s finally cleared here.

Refrigeration: A standard refrigerator could handle it: 36 to 46 degrees F.

One or two takes: Two, spaced a month apart.

Novavax can be authorized after New Years

What it is: Considered something of a “loser” only because it ranks fourth in the race for authorization, Novavax’s coronavirus vaccine is still in advanced stage clinical trials.

When it comes: Probably sometime in the first half of 2021.

Who could be better for: I’m not sure yet.

Refrigeration: A standard refrigerator could handle it: 39 to 46 degrees F.

One or two takes: Two doses three weeks apart, plus an adjuvant, a second drug that helps the vaccine work better.

Inovio needle-free vaccine delivery

What it is: Instead of a syringe and needle, Inovio’s unique system uses an electrical pulse to deliver the vaccine to the body, where it can trigger an immune response.

When it comes: Inovio just started mid-stage clinical trials in December, so a launch in the summer of 2021 could be a realistic expectation if all goes well with the studies.

Who could be better for: Children and adults with an intense fear of needles; people in developing areas where safe needle disposal is a challenge.

Refrigeration: It can be stored at room temperature.

One or two takes: Two doses, four weeks apart.

There is no guarantee that any of the vaccines listed above will be cleared by the FDA, nor do any of the timelines take into account the potential for future inconvenience or delay, but we will update this article as new information emerges. We will also continue to add more vaccines to this list as it becomes clearer when other manufacturers might request authorization, as well as which groups are likely to receive them.

For more information on how vaccines are developed and distributed, as well as the latest vaccine news, read our explanation of the coronavirus vaccine. If you have specific questions about a COVID-19 vaccine, we may have already I answered them here. Wondering when you can get one? We are tracking coronavirus vaccine priority groups here.

The information in this article is for educational and informational purposes only and is not intended to be medical or health advice. Always consult a physician or other qualified healthcare provider regarding any questions you may have about a medical condition or health goals.