The U.S. currently uses three COVID-19 vaccines : Pfizer , Moderna , and Novavax . All are secure and effective against the coronavirus , particularly in prevent hospital care and death .
However , you may enquire which of these vaccinum is best for you . The answer depends on many factors , include your age and overall health . Keep reading to learn more .
Chart comparison
The following summary shows the latest inoculation guidelines for the three currently O.K. COVID-19 vaccines in the United States . Data is based on the 2023 to 2024 guideline by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention ( CDC ) .
Note that the 2024 to 2025 guidelines areexpectedto come out in the fall of 2024 and may differ .
Learn more : How the dissimilar type of COVID-19 vaccines work
Which vaccine is the most effective against COVID for adults?
When COVID-19 vaccines were first introduced , the general rule of pollex was that the good vaccine was the one that you could get now .
However , at the beginning of 2022 , theCDCupdated its vaccinum recommendation to state that the two mRNA vaccines — Pfizer and Moderna — were preferred over the Johnson & Johnson ( J&J ) vaccine .
The J&J vaccine has since beendiscontinued . In 2023 , theFood and Drug Administration ( FDA)authorized a protein subunit vaccinum bid Novavax .
Today , theCDCrecommends any of these three COVID-19 vaccines if you follow the recommend dosing and agenda .
So , which is upright ?
mRNA vaccines: Is Pfizer or Moderna better?
MRNA vaccinestell your body how to make the necessary protein to fight a virus .
Clinical trialsfor the two mRNA vaccinum found that both Pfizer and Moderna were dependable and had similar effectiveness:95%for Pfizer and94.1%for Moderna .
The similar effectiveness of these vaccinum also carry into a literal - world scope .
A2022 studyexamined vaccine effectuality in U.S. veterans vaccinate between January and May 2021 . While the two vaccines were comparable , the Moderna vaccine prevent diagnostic infection and hospitalisation slightly more in effect than the Pfizer vaccinum .
Note that the effectiveness between the Pfizer and Moderna vaccinum might vary depending on the coronavirus variation .
For example , a2022 studyof the Pfizer vaccinum against the Omicron variant find that vaccinum effectiveness was 67.2 % in the 2 to 4 week after a promoter but declined to 45.7 % after 10 or more workweek .
Another2022 studyof the Moderna vaccinum against the Omicron variant found that vaccinum effectiveness was 71.6 % in the 14 to 60 days after a supporter but declined to 47.4 % after 60 days .
That say , theFDAnow O.K. updated versions of these vaccinum per year to target newer virus variate .
Protein subunit vaccine: Is Novavax better than the mRNA vaccines?
Protein subunit vaccine are a direct injection of a modify protein that stimulates the resistant system to make antibodies and tetraiodothyronine jail cell to fight a virus .
A 2023 study compared the effectiveness of messenger RNA and protein subunit vaccine . Researchers found that all the newer vaccines are at least90%effective regardless of how they work .
However , a2023 studysuggests that Novavax may have fewer side effects than mRNA vaccinum .
Some inquiry suggests that mixing mRNA and protein subunit vaccine might result in a better immune response and , therefore , better protectiveness . For model , a2023 animal studyin mouse examined mixing mRNA and protein fractional monetary unit vaccinum against influenza strains and found good effectiveness .
However , theCDConly recommend blend vaccinum in specific circumstances :
Which COVID-19 vaccine is best for children?
As with adult , there is n’t a clear answer as to which vaccine is better for your child .
TheCDCrecommends that everyone 5 year old and older be vaccinated against COVID-19 . Currently , the Pfizer and Modera vaccines are recommend for minor over 6 months former , whereas Novavax is intended for only those over12 age old .
Research shows that the Moderna and Pfizer vaccine are broadly safe for kid . Lower doses have been deemed safe for child geezerhood 6 months to 5 years .
While children have a higher chance of developingmyocarditisrelated to mRNA vaccine , this risk is nowconsidered gloomy . It ’s also low than the risk of getting the term from COVID-19 itself for most age radical . Extending the clock time between doses to 8 hebdomad helps meliorate resistant reply and reduce this risk .
A 2023 clinical sketch also found that Novavax caused mostly mild adolescent reaction . Reactions were only slightly stronger after the 2d dose . The efficaciousness was79.5 % .
However , since Novavax is relatively new , this clinical trial is still on-going , and the data may change .
Which vaccine is best for seniors?
One2023 studyin Australia found that COVID-19 vaccinum were highly effective in forestall death among old Australians during the crest of the Omicron variant eruption in 2022 . However , after 6 months of receive the booster shot , effectiveness dropped to around 50 % .
This highlights the importance of getting additional takeoff booster in this years chemical group , especially those released to target newer computer virus version .
Multiplestudiesconfirm theeffectivenessof inoculation in aged grownup .
When it comes to which is estimable , a2023 studycomparing Pfizer and Moderna vaccine in older grownup institute that the Moderna vaccine was associated with slightly few side effects than Pfizer in this eld grouping .
A2024 studycompared template RNA and protein subunit vaccine in Taiwan . Researchers line up that in people over 65 years one-time who were given three vaccinum doses , both vaccine types provided comparable protection against decease . The effectualness rates against end were :
Therefore , which vaccine is preferable to someone in this years group might finally be based on personal preference .
Which COVID-19 vaccine is best for immunocompromised people?
People who are immunocompromised have an increased peril of stern illness or death due to COVID-19 . This admit mass who :
As with adult and children , theCDCnow recommends any of the three vaccinum options for immunocompromised masses so long as the specific testimonial on age and numeral of doses are followed .
A2021 studyexamined the effectiveness of two mRNA vaccinum doses in immunocompromised the great unwashed . It find that the Pfizer vaccine was 71 % effective , and the Moderna vaccine was 81 % in effect . However , this deviation is n’t considered statistically important .
That said , a2022 meta - analysis of 82 studiesfound that antibody reception rates in immunocompromised the great unwashed may be lower than in those who are not immunocompromised . This means immunocompromised multitude usually need more doses to produce enough antibodies against the coronavirus .
However , this study did not probe the Novavax vaccine .
A2022 review articlealso states that an additional Elvis may set up antibody reception rates from 41 % to 67 % . However , researchers also note there may be significant variation between unlike group of immunocompromised people .
A2023 randomized placebo trialwith adults 18 to 84 eld sure-enough found that Novavax was generally 82.7 % in force . Its efficaciousness was 100 % for severe disease . That said , the study did n’t try out efficacy in immunocompromised participant .
Vaccine schedule for immunocompromised individuals
The COVID-19 vaccinum agenda for immunocompromised hoi polloi differs slightly from the schedule for the larger population . The table below register the CDC’scurrent vaccinum recommendationsfor immunocompromised someone .
Guidelines for getting vaccinated and staying up to date
To be protected from COVID-19 , it ’s significant to stay current on your COVID-19 vaccine . But what incisively does this entail ?
According to theCDC , you ’re up to escort on your COVID-19 vaccines when you ’ve receive both your primary vaccine series and yourbooster dose .
If you ’ve get only your principal vaccinum series , you are consideredfully vaccinatedbut not current .
Note that if you have a compromise immune system , your Doctor of the Church may also recommend takingpemivibart ( Pemgarda ) .
The FDA recentlyauthorizedthis monoclonal antibody antibody medication in 2024 to facilitate people who may not be capable to build enough of an immune reply from a vaccinum .
Takeaway
Overall , receiving any of the currently available COVID-19 vaccines is dear than not getting vaccinated . This is because all of the COVID-19 vaccine are safe and effective at protecting you from serious sickness and death due to COVID-19 .
What brand and type of vaccinum you choose largely depends on your eld and preferences . Be sure to babble out with your doctor if you have any interrogation or business organisation about COVID-19 vaccination .
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