The Moderna COVID-19 vaccine was
The Moderna vaccine is comparable to the Pfizer vaccine and has been found to be safe and highly effective. Read on for more information about the Moderna vaccine.
The Moderna COVID-19 vaccine was made for the prevention of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus. It is a messenger RNA (mRNA) vaccine, which means that it’s not a live virus vaccine. There are two doses, given 28 days apart, required for this vaccine.
While there may be minimal side effects, the side effects experienced are drastically fewer and less severe than with a COVID-19 infection. It’s comparable to the Pfizer vaccine regarding its efficacy and mode of protection and is available free of charge to those in the United States.
The Moderna COVID-19 vaccine is an mRNA vaccine. These vaccines take a piece of genetic code from the SARS CoV-2 virus and deliver it to host cells in our body. Basically, it gives the cells instructions on how to make copies of spike proteins. These proteins then start an immune response, and the body produces antibodies.
If you then contract SARS-CoV-2, your body recognizes it and the antibodies attack it.
COVID-19 mRNA vaccines, like the one made by Moderna, cannot give you COVID-19. They do not enter the nucleus of a cell, so they do not interact with your DNA, and the mRNA from the vaccine leaves your body within hours.
While the COVID-19 mRNA vaccines are new, scientists have been studying mRNA for vaccines for over 10 years with diseases like flu, Zika, rabies, and others.
The short answer is no. As of mid-April, the
While there have been very few people experiencing blood clots with the Johnson & Johnson and the AstraZeneca vaccines, COVID-19 carries a much more significant risk of blood clots. One study found that the risk of a serious blood clot in the brain is about 100 times higher in those with COVID-19 than in those without COVID-19.
The AstraZeneca vaccine isn’t approved for use in the United States. Blood clots have occurred in about 5 people for every 1 million people who received the AstraZeneca vaccine.
The rate of general blood clots in those with COVID-19 is 39 people per 1 million.
Complications from a COVID-19 vaccine?
Although the COVID-19 vaccines are safe, some people do experience adverse effects. A very small number of people may experience serious reactions or complications. If you had a severe allergic reaction or anaphylaxis with the first vaccine injection,
Minor allergic reactions can occur with any vaccine. Reactions to the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine usually happen within 4 hours of injection.
- hives
- swelling
- wheezing or trouble breathing
Some people get a rash at the injection site, known as “COVID arm.” You should still get the second dose, even if you got the rash. Let the healthcare professional administering the vaccine know you had a rash with the first injection. They may suggest getting the second dose in the other arm.
Symptoms of a blood clot may include:
- chest pain
- shortness of breath
- swelling in leg
- abdominal pain
- sudden severe headache
There are several COVID-19 vaccines on the market. There are similarities and differences among the vaccines. Knowing these can help you make an informed decision and clear up any confusion or misunderstanding.
How is the Moderna vaccine like the Pfizer vaccine?
The Moderna vaccine is similar to the Pfizer vaccine in that both are mRNA vaccines. They use the same mechanism to build immunity. They both also require two doses to be fully effective, although the Pfizer dose is given 21 days after the first, while Moderna is given 28 days after the first dose.
How is the Moderna vaccine different from the Johnson & Johnson vaccine?
While the Moderna vaccine is an mRNA vaccine, the Johnson & Johnson vaccine is not. It is a carrier or virus vector vaccine. This kind of vaccine uses a harmless virus to carry a genetic code to the cells. Once the code is in the cells, it produces a spike protein. This spiked protein then prompts the immune system to produce antibodies to protect against a specific virus.
The Johnson and Johnson vaccine only requires one dose, while the Moderna vaccine requires two to be fully effective.
You will need two doses of the Moderna vaccine to be fully vaccinated and get the most benefit.
The Moderna vaccine was found to be 94.1 percent effective at preventing symptomatic infections in those who had no signs of a previous infection with COVID-19. For people ages 65 and older, the efficacy drops to 86.4 percent.
In real-world settings, getting both doses provides about a 90 percent effectiveness rate. The Moderna vaccine may also be protective against the SARS-CoV-2 variants first detected in the United Kingdom and South Africa. More research is being done on this.
There are pros and cons to each vaccine, though all three COVID-19 vaccines approved for use in the United States are safe, effective, and carry far fewer risks than COVID-19.
Advantages of the Moderna vaccine
- It has a high efficacy rate.
- There is a minimal risk of side effects.
Possible disadvantages of the Moderna vaccine
- You need two doses for it to be fully effective.
- Some people may experience more significant side effects than others.
The Moderna COVID-19 vaccine has been found to be safe and effective against an infection with SARS-CoV-2, which causes COVID-19. It is comparable to the Pfizer vaccine and recommended by health professionals.
If you are immunocompromised or have any other serious health issues, talk with your doctor before getting the vaccine.