Comprehensive evidence on COVID-19 disease burden, vaccine development, clinical trial data, real-world effectiveness, documented adverse events, and remaining uncertainties.
COVID-19 (Coronavirus Disease 2019) is caused by SARS-CoV-2, a novel coronavirus first identified in late 2019.
Multiple vaccine platforms were developed to combat COVID-19, each with different mechanisms and characteristics.
Pfizer-BioNTech (Comirnaty) and Moderna (Spikevax). Deliver mRNA instructions for cells to produce spike protein.
Johnson & Johnson (Janssen) and AstraZeneca. Use modified virus to deliver spike protein gene.
Novavax. Contains purified spike protein with adjuvant to stimulate immune response.
| Vaccine | Symptomatic Infection | Severe Disease | Death |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pfizer-BioNTech | 95% | 88-100% | >95% |
| Moderna | 94.1% | 100% | 100% |
| J&J/Janssen | 66.1% | 85% | 100% |
| Novavax | 90.4% | 100% | 100% |
Source: FDA Emergency Use Authorization documents, NEJM publications
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