Now that there are three COVID-19 vaccines available in the United States, some Americans and government officials are choosing and choosing the vaccines they prefer – to the displeasure of federal health officials urging people to sign up for any vaccine available.
The US has three authorized COVID-19 vaccines, which are currently available to Americans who qualify for vaccination.
The first two vaccines, which were developed by Pfizer Inc. PFE,
and Modern Inc. MRNA,
both mRNA-based two-dose vaccines were approved in December.
There are limited differences between these vaccines; however, Johnson & Johnson’s JNJ Food and Drug Administration authorization,
shot on February 27 introduced a vaccine that has a number of differences from those based on mRNA, at least on paper. This vaccine requires a single dose and uses a different route of immunization because it is a viral vector-based vaccine.
The authorization of this third vaccine has sparked a wider discussion about the public’s preference for the vaccine.
Friends and family members are now discussing which vaccine they prefer instead of text messages, some faithful leaders have weighed the election, and even some government officials have questioned the usefulness of implementing a less effective vaccine in their communities.
American Catholics have been instructed by the US Conference of Catholic Bishops to choose the Pfizer or Moderna vaccine over J&Js if they have a choice, because they have “the slightest connection to abortion-derived cell lines,” although some dioceses and archbishops have not. made a distinction, and the Vatican said that all Catholics around the world can receive any vaccine with a good conscience.
Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan said on March 4 that the city will only use Pfizer or Moderna vaccines at this time, citing the difference in effectiveness rates.
“If we can cover everyone [in Detroit] with Moderna and Pfizer, we will do that, “Duggan told reporters at a news conference. “In this city, I think the relative improvement in the protection of your health is worth doing twice as much work.”
This is a position that federal health officials and medical experts largely disagree with.
“We need to get rid of this problem of comparing with each other, except that we say we have an extremely effective group of three vaccines,” Dr. Anthony Fauci, President Joe Biden’s chief adviser, told a White House on Friday. . briefing. “I would only take the vaccine that is most readily available to you.”
Here’s what we know now about comparing COVID-19 vaccines:
There are several key differences between the two types of vaccines. Pfizer and Moderna vaccines are both two-dose, mRNA-based vaccines that have reported efficacy rates of approximately 95% in clinical trials. (Efficacy is an industry term applied to results derived from a clinically controlled tested environment; efficacy is used to describe real-world results.)
The J&J vaccine works differently because it is an adenovirus vector-based vaccine and requires only a single injection in the United States. However, in its phase 3 clinical study it had a much lower efficacy rate than mRNA vaccines, 66% worldwide and approximately 72% in the US.
That being said, all three vaccines can prevent severe illness, hospitalization and death. “Each of them is very effective in preventing clinically apparent diseases,” Fauci said Friday.
MRNA vaccines were almost 100% effective in preventing death in clinical trials, while J&J was 100% protective in preventing hospitalization and death.
In an opinion piece published in the medical journal JAMA on March 4, a couple of doctors with infectious diseases argued that anyone who qualifies for a vaccine should take everything available to them now. But they also addressed how that decision is expected to evolve as supply increases.
In this scenario, “for groups at higher risk of severe disease and complications (e.g., older adults, immunocompromised individuals), mRNA vaccines may offer an advantage, while for younger populations and those who have difficulty returning for a second injection, [J&J] the single-dose vaccine may be preferable, ”wrote Dr. Carlos Rio and Preeti Malani.
As clinical trial data from subgroups such as pregnant women, children and older adults, including those aged 75 and over, begin to be disseminated, this information may be used in the future to inform which vaccines should be given. go to which people, experts say. , but that’s not happening yet.
From a scientific point of view, can or should vaccines be compared? In short, no. To compare vaccines directly, they should be tested head-on in clinical trials against each other and a placebo, and not just individually against a placebo.
This is because, although all three vaccines have undergone large clinical trials at a late stage, there have been differences in the design of each study, and the timelines are not always strengthened in a way that can allow comparison.
For example, J & J’s phase 3 studies were conducted later than Pfizer or Moderna and focused on different regions. This is an important distinction, as B.1.1.7 and B.1.351 in the UK and South Africa, respectively, became a concern only in the US at the beginning of the year, when J&J was still operating late. the stage study and mRNA vaccines have already been authorized.
But from a public health point of view?
In recommendations issued by the CDC Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices in Response to the J&J Authorization, the commission said it had no preference between the three authorized vaccines, noting on March 5 that people “are encouraged to receive the oldest vaccine available to them.” . ”
However, ACIP also said that the J&J vaccine, which is easier to store and administer faster, can help ensure “fair access” to vaccines.
This could ensure that people who may be less likely to return for the second shot, people who are afraid of needles and those who are reluctant to receive a vaccine, are still vaccinated.
The J&J image may be preferable to distribution among hard-to-reach groups, such as migrant farmers and the homeless, according to Dr. Leana Wen, an emergency physician and former Baltimore health commissioner, although he warned not to use the “messaging type.” that this [shot] it is somehow an inferior vaccine that is given to marginalized communities.
About 10 percent of the U.S. population is fully vaccinated as of Wednesday, according to the latest figures from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. This leaves many Americans in the difficult place of waiting to qualify for vaccination. More than 1 million people have already signed up for a waiting list for vaccine remnants, which was created by a startup called Dr. B.
“Don’t refuse the life jacket you’re offered,” Wen said.