Three COVID Vaccines Compared

Vaccine developer:

Pfizer

Moderna

AstraZeneca

How it works

Messenger RNA

Messenger RNA

Inactivated cold virus

When approved/expected approval

Dec. 11

Advisory committee meeting Dec. 17; approval expected 24 to 48 hours after

Has not submitted application for emergency use authorization in U.S.

What percentage of people did it protect from getting infected in clinical studies?

95%

94.1%

70%

How many shots do you need?

Two doses, 3 weeks apart

Two doses, 4 weeks apart

Two doses, a month apart

What are the side effects?

Fatigue, headache, chills, muscle pain, especially after the second dose

Fever, muscle aches, headaches lasting a few days. Effects worse after second dose.

Not yet known

How many doses will be available, and when?

50 million, starting Dec. 18; 1.3 billion in 2021

20 million, starting Dec. 21; 80 million for U.S. in 2021

3 billion planned for 2021

Who is it recommended for?

People 16 years and older

People 18 years and older.

Not yet available.

What about pregnant women and nursing moms?

Pregnant women or nursing moms who want the COVID-19 vaccine should get one, experts say. The vaccine has not yet been studied in pregnant women. Read guidelines here.

There’s limited data. Studies in rats who were immunized before and during pregnancy found no safety concerns. The CDC says pregnant women may choose to receive the vaccine.

Not yet available.

Is there anyone who shouldn’t get the vaccine?

People with a history of serious allergic reactions. There is not enough data to make a recommendation for people with a compromised immune system.

Not yet available.

Not yet available.

Any significant side effects?

The CDC has identified 6 cases of anaphylaxis in people who received the vaccine.

Four cases of Bell’s palsy, a type of temporary facial paralysis, were reported in people who received the vaccine, with no cases in the placebo group. This is not more than would be expected in the general population, however.

Four cases of Bell’s palsy were reported in the clinical trials including 3 in the vaccine group, and 1 in the placebo group. This is not more than would be expected in the general population, however.

Not yet available.

What about people with lowered immune function?

People whose immune function is lowered by HIV or immunosuppressing drugs can take the COVID vaccines if they have no other reasons to avoid getting the shot. There is limited safety data in this group. The vaccine may not work as well. Immunocompromised persons should continue to take all recommended safety precautions after vaccination.

People whose immune function is lowered by HIV or immunosuppressing drugs can take the COVID vaccines if they have no other reasons to avoid getting the shot. There is limited safety data in this group. The vaccine may not work as well. Immunocompromised persons should continue to take all recommended safety precautions after vaccination.

Not yet available.

What about people with autoimmune diseases?

No data are available on the safety or effectiveness of mRNA vaccines in people with autoimmune disease. People with autoimmune conditions may still get the shots if they have no other reasons to avoid vaccination.

No data are available on the safety or effectiveness of mRNA vaccines in people with autoimmune disease. People with autoimmune conditions may still get the shots if they have no other reasons to avoid vaccination.

Not yet available.

Is the vaccine safe for people with  a history of Guillain-Barre Syndrome (GBS)?

To date, no cases of GBS have been seen in people vaccinated for COVID-19. The CDC says a history of GBS is not a reason to avoid vaccination.

To date, no cases of GBS have been seen in people vaccinated for COVID-19. The CDC says a history of GBS is not a reason to avoid vaccination.

Not yet available.