Search results
Sep 3, 2024 · The mRNA vaccines target a SARS-CoV-2 strain called KP.2. The FDA authorized an updated COVID vaccine from Novavax later the same month for everyone 12 and older. That shot targets another strain—JN.1. The new vaccines come at a time when a collection of closely related SARS-CoV-2 strains are circulating in the United States.
- kathy.katella-cofrancesco@yale.edu
- Overview
- Best COVID-19 vaccines for adults
- Best COVID-19 vaccines for children
- Best COVID-19 vaccines for those who are immunocompromised
- Guidelines for getting vaccinated and staying up to date
- Takeaway
There are currently three COVID-19 vaccines in use in the United States. All three of these vaccines are safe and effective in protecting you from COVID-19, particularly when it comes to hospitalization and death.
However, you may be wondering which of these three vaccines is best for you. The answer to this question can depend on your age and overall health. Keep reading to learn more.
Healthy adults have the option of receiving any of the three COVID-19 vaccines. These are the:
•Pfizer mRNA vaccine
•Moderna mRNA vaccine
•Johnson & Johnson (J&J) adenoviral vector vaccine
The CDC recommends that everyone ages 5 and older should be vaccinated against COVID-19. As of writing, the Pfizer vaccine is the only vaccine that’s authorized for children.
Currently, all children ages 5 and older can receive the Pfizer vaccine. Additionally, all children ages 12 and older may receive a booster dose of this vaccine.
However, with the emergence of the Omicron variant, research has found that the Pfizer vaccine isn’t very effective in children ages 5 to 11. A 2022 study, currently in preprint, evaluated vaccine effectiveness within this age range in the months of December 2021 and January 2022. Researchers found that vaccine effectiveness drastically declined from 68 percent to just 11 percent.
A side effect that some people may be concerned about with mRNA vaccines like the Pfizer vaccine is myocarditis, an inflammation of the heart. While this side effect is rare, it’s most often seen in male adolescents and young adults.
A 2021 study of 139 young adults and adolescents with suspected myocarditis after COVID-19 vaccination found that most people had a mild illness that resolved quickly with treatment.
Further, another 2021 study found that the risk of myocarditis was actually higher after having COVID-19 than it was after vaccination.
People who are immunocompromised are at an increased risk of severe illness or death due to COVID-19. This includes people who:
•are taking immunosuppressant drugs
•are receiving cancer treatment
•have received an organ or stem cell transplant
•are living with HIV
•have an inherited immunodeficiency syndrome
In order to stay protected from COVID-19, it’s important to stay up to date on your COVID-19 vaccines. But what exactly does this mean?
According to the CDC, you’re up to date on your COVID-19 vaccines when you’ve received both your primary vaccine series and your booster dose.
If you’ve received just your primary vaccine series, you are considered fully vaccinated but not up to date.
The chart below helps to explain in more detail when you’re fully vaccinated versus when you’re up to date.
Overall, receiving any of the COVID-19 vaccines is considered to be better than remaining unvaccinated. This is because all of the COVID-19 vaccines are safe and effective at protecting you from serious illness or death due to COVID-19.
Some vaccines are recommended over others, however. According to the CDC, receiving an mRNA vaccine is preferred over the J&J vaccine for both healthy and immunocompromised adults.
Children can only receive one type of COVID-19 vaccine at this time. This is the Pfizer vaccine.
More vaccines are also in the pipeline, so be sure to keep your eyes peeled. One of these is the Novavax vaccine, which uses recombinant spike protein from the novel coronavirus. While its effectiveness against the Delta and Omicron variants hasn’t yet been evaluated, large-scale clinical trials showed that the vaccine effectiveness of this vaccine was 90.4 percent against earlier variants.
Aug 25, 2024 · The updated mRNA COVID vaccines from Moderna and Pfizer are based on the KP.2 strain, one of the FLiRT variants that have been spreading since early spring. These variants and their sub-variants have caused the majority of infections during this summer’s COVID wave.
Oct 4, 2024 · Which COVID vaccine is better of the Pfizer, Modern and Novavax options? Here's how they compare with safety and efficacy and where to get a COVID vaccine.
Dec 3, 2021 · Overall, the mRNA vaccines - Moderna and Pfizer - gave the best boost to antibodies and T-cells, which are known to be important factors in how well vaccines work, particularly after two...
Sep 16, 2024 · Find out how the COVID-19 vaccines work, how many doses are needed, possible side effects and who shouldn't get the vaccine.
Apr 19, 2024 · A booster shot gives a “boost” to the recipient's existing immunity from a previous vaccination. Updated vaccines are different in that they are expected to provide protection against currently circulating variants, helping the body build a new response to those variants.
