The Corona vaccine, developed by Pfizer-BioNtech, was approved in the United States this week and has been used for the first time. Moderna’s coronavirus vaccines, on the other hand, are awaiting approval in the United States.
The features of Pfizer and Moderna’s are not very similar. However, there are a few key differences. Moderna’s vaccines, in particular, do not require extra cold storage. It can be stored in ordinary refrigerator. The company claims it is more accessible to the local community.
The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is considering approving the emergency use of the Moderna vaccine by Friday (December 18). The FDA's Vaccine Advisory Committee also met on Thursday (December 17).
Now let's find out about the Moderna Corona vaccine and what makes it different from the Pfizer vaccine.
Pfizer is considered a giant pharmaceutical company in the United States. Moderna, on the other hand, whose short form is RNA. It is a Cambridge-based biotech company in the state of Massachusetts.
The FDA approved the clinical trial of Moderna’s vaccine on March 3. The first trial was on March 26. The Moderna vaccine is the first government-funded corona vaccine in the United States to complete a three-stage trial. On November 30, the agency applied to the FDA for approval for the emergency use of the vaccine.
Moderna vaccines have been shown to be effective and safe in corona prevention in experimental trials.
According to data released by the FDA's Advisory Committee, the Moderna vaccine is 94.1% effective in protecting against corona. And it gives 100% protection to the person concerned from getting severe Covid infection. The vaccine is effective in preventing corona infections of different groups, genders and races. About 10 percent of the volunteers in the study were black and 20 percent were Hispanic.
How it will work:
Like the Pfizer vaccine, the Moderna vaccine provides RNA or MRNA which takes a tiny fraction of the genetic code to teach the body how to fight coronavirus and build immunity. Once injected, the body's immune system builds up and makes antibodies. If a person becomes infected with coronavirus after being vaccinated, antibodies begin to work to prevent the virus.
In particular, this Moderna vaccine contains synthetic MRNA that produces the virus's 'perfusion stabilized spike glycoprotein'. The vaccine also contains fatty substances called lipids, trametamine, trametamine hydrochloride, acetic acid, sodium acetate and sucrose.
How is the Moderna vaccine different from Pfizer?
These two vaccines are of the same type. But Alex Azar, secretary of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, said there were several key differences between the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines which has made the Moderna’s vaccine ‘more flexible’.
Efficacy: Both Moderna and Pfizer vaccines are about 95 percent effective against coronavirus.
Taking part in CNN's "New Day" program on Tuesday, FDA's vaccination advisory committee member Dr. Paul Offitt said "I think the two vaccines are pretty much the same,"
Structure: Moderna’s and Pfizer vaccines are MRNA vaccines though there are somewhat different structures. And for this there is a difference between transportation and storage.
Preservation: Moderna vaccines for preservation are much more comforting. This vaccine does not need to be kept in the same high temperature as the Pfizer vaccine.
The vaccine discovered by Pfizer is to be stored at minus 75 degrees Celsius to minus 50 degrees Celsius. This vaccine can be stored in the fridge for only five days.
Moderna vaccines, on the other hand, need to be stored at minus 20 degrees Celsius. This vaccine can also be kept in the fridge at home. It can be stored in the fridge for up to 30 days. As a result, this vaccine is easy to transfer and manage.
A comparison of these two vaccines shows that Pfizer's vaccines will be used more in established infrastructure such as hospitals and large organizations. On the other hand, Moderna vaccines will also be used in small organizations such as local chains or pharmacists.
Dosage and timing: The Moderna vaccine is given as a dose of 100 micrograms twice in 26 days. The two doses of Pfizer vaccine were given at 30 micrograms every 21 days.
Age: If approved, the Moderna vaccine will be used by people of 18 and older. The Pfizer vaccine is approved for those 18 and older.
Is the Moderna vaccine safe?
Regarding the Moderna vaccine, the FDA said there are no specific safety concerns in the use of this vaccine; which may prevent the vaccine from getting urgent approval.
Some of the common side effects of using the vaccine are fatigue, headache, muscle aches, joint pain and runny nose. There were no serious side effects overall.
When will the Moderna vaccine be available?
According to the Department of Health and Human Services, the United States first purchased 100 million doses of the Moderna vaccine. Last week it agreed to buy another 100 million doses. Moderna began producing the first 100 million doses during a clinical trial.
Monsef Slaui, chief scientific officer of ‘Operation Warp Speed’, hopes the FDA will approve the emergency use of the Moderna vaccine on Friday. If so, the vaccine will be provided within the next 24 hours. So that it can be applied from next Monday. # MS/0707 Hours/18.12.20
Source: CNN