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Astrazeneca, Johnson & Johnson, Pfizer and Moderna: Covid vaccines compared

By Cristiano Antonino On Apr 15, 2021

Astrazeneca, Johnson & Johnson, Pfizer and Moderna: comparing the characteristics of the four vaccines approved in Italy to combat Covid

There are four approved vaccines in Italy: Astrazeneca, Johnson & Johnson, Pfizer and Moderna. What are the differences, comparing them?

Astrazeneca, produced in Sweden and the UK, is a viral vector vaccine that uses a weakened version of the chimpanzee adenovirus to insert genetic material from the spike protein into human cells to produce antibodies.

Indicated for the over-60 age group, it keeps between 2 and 8 degrees and needs two doses to reach 80% effectiveness.

Pfizer, made in the US and Germany, uses the messenger RNA technique. The genetic code related to the production of the Spike protein is carried to the cell so that it has the information to detect and destroy the virus.

Indicated for the 16 to over 75 age group, it must be stored at -70 degrees and needs two inoculations to reach 90% effectiveness.

Modern, of US production, it has the same technology as the Pfizer vaccine with messenger RNA; Italy is receiving reduced quantities because many of the doses are reserved for the US market.

Suitable for the over 18s, it should be stored at between -25 and -15 degrees Celsius and needs two doses at 4-week intervals to reach 95% effectiveness.

Johnson and Johnson is a viral vector vaccine, the same technique used to produce the Ebola vaccine.

It was withdrawn from the US market a few days ago. Indicated for the over-18 age group, it keeps between 2 and 8 degrees, is the only single-dose vaccine and is 72% effective in preventing all cases of Covid 19 and 86% effective in preventing acute forms of the disease.