According to the experts, the COVID-19 vaccine you receive is most likely dependent on the area you live in and the medical facility providing the vaccine. The Pfizer vaccine must be stored at colder temperatures than the Moderna. This means the majority of rural areas and smaller facilities will probably be using the Moderna vaccine.
Most physicians stated they do not prefer one vaccine over the other and will use whichever one is available. During the following week, the residents of nursing homes and healthcare workers that have already received the first dose of the Pfizer vaccine will be given the second dose. The FDA authorized the use of the vaccine for emergencies just last month.
The FDA approved the Moderna vaccine one week later. According to the most recent data from the CDC, the vaccine has already been received by over five million people. According to the experts, the effectiveness and safety profiles of both vaccines are similar. The most significant difference is the way the vaccines are handled and stored.
The Pfizer vaccine has a disadvantage because of the type of storage necessary. For the correct cold chain to be maintained, freezing and special handling are required. This is a concern for many of the experts discussing the current situation. Cold storage is mandatory for both of the vaccines. The difference is the Pfizer vaccine generally requires special freezers due to the necessary ultra-cold temperatures.
The storage required for the Moderna vaccine is believed to make it suitable for both rural and smaller sites. Moderna is also available in allotments of 100 as opposed to the 975 doses provided by Pfizer. There are also additional factors that must be considered regarding the two vaccines. This includes the severe allergic reactions that have resulted from both vaccines for a handful of people.
A physician in Boston received the Moderna vaccine. The result was an anaphylactic reaction requiring the physician to use an EpiPen for treatment. The National Institutes of Health acted quickly after the first severe reactions to the vaccines were reported. A study is being conducted to determine the reason allergic reactions with a life-threatening potential are occurring.
The inDemic foundation consists of a team of epidemiologists, physicians and scientists. All of these individuals are experienced with both COVID-19 vaccines and therapeutics. In a statement made by Dr. Sam Sun, the director of the foundation, he said researchers are studying the chemical necessary for both vaccines. This chemical is frequently used for cosmetics, foods and numerous medications.
PEG-2000 is used for the manufacturing of both vaccines. The director believes this may be the cause of rare anaphylaxis cases. The study also offered a secondary outcome involving research for the protection offered against asymptomatic diseases. According to the preliminary analysis, the Moderna vaccine may prevent both COVID-19 and SARS CoV-2.
Showing SARS Cov-2 can be prevented by vaccination is extremely important. This is because once an individual has received the vaccination the risk of Sars Cov-2 being spread by asymptomatic transmission or to vulnerable and unvaccinated individuals is a lot lower. The suggestion is the reduction in risk is approximately 60 percent. Determining specific conclusions at this time is difficult.
This is because the number of individuals already receiving the vaccine is still very small. The study conducted was not formed for the detection of this difference, Despite this, the data for the Moderna vaccine appears promising at this time. There is no conclusive evidence from either company that the vaccines are capable of preventing asymptomatic transmission. This is being actively investigated.
According to one physician, he was given the Moderna vaccine because he lives in a small rural area without the freezers required to properly store the Pfizer vaccine. His wife was given the Pfizer vaccine because she works in a large hospital in their area. He stated both of them believe their protection is equal. Dr. Paul A. Offit works in Philadelphia at the Children's Hospital.
He is a specialist in infectious diseases, a pediatrician and directs the Vaccine Education Center. When he received the vaccine, he stated he would take whichever one was available. Since a lot more of the vaccines still need to be manufactured, accepting whatever is available is very important. Dr. Offit believes the vaccines must be mass-produced to ensure there will be enough for everyone.
The vaccines are being rolled out during the Trump administration. The expectation was the vaccination of 20 million individuals by the close of 2020. The CDC tracker shows over 17 million doses have already been distributed. This means there are 12 million doses sitting with the potential to expire. The situation is even worse since the United States does not currently have enough vaccinations ordered.
There will not be enough vaccines available for the inoculation of approximately 185 million people in the United States before June. No national plan is available at this time. Redistribution details are now being left to individual states by the federal officials. There are theories regarding why the states are falling behind including the health systems and hospitals becoming overwhelmed treating COVID-19 cases.
The officials at Moderna have promised to increase their vaccine doses to a minimum of 600 for this year. The company has stated 100 million doses will be available at the end of March, with an additional 100 million in June. One expert believes his hospital had the right idea. The nurses were all seated and ready to administer the vaccines. A pharmacist was available to ensure the vaccines were reconstituted.
This made certain no vaccine was left sitting more than a maximum of six hours. Once the individual received their shot, a different section of the auditorium was reserved to make certain there was no allergic reaction. Every 30 minutes, approximately 12 individuals received vaccinations. He believes this is critical for everyone, not just the people working in the hospital.
Mass vaccination campaigns are necessary for everyone including teachers and transportation workers all over the country. He believes this is the most effective solution.
