A comprehensive review of SARS-CoV-2 vaccines: Pfizer, Moderna & Johnson & Johnson

Abstract

The novel coronavirus outbreak was declared a pandemic in March 2020. We are reviewing the COVID-19 vaccines authorized for use in the United States by discussing the mechanisms of action, administration, side effects, and efficacy of vaccines developed by Pfizer, Moderna, and Johnson & Johnson. Pfizer and Moderna developed mRNA vaccines, encoding the spike protein of SARS-CoV-2, whereas Johnson & Johnson developed an adenovirus vector-based vaccine. Safety has been shown in a large cohort of participants in clinical trials as well as the general population since emergency approval of vaccine administration in the US. Clinical trial results showed the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines to be 95.0%, and the Johnson & Johnson vaccine to be 66.0% effective in protecting against moderate and symptomatic SARS-CoV-2 infection. It is important to keep medical literature updated with the ongoing trials of these vaccinations, especially as they are tested among different age groups and upon the emergence of novel variants of the SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus.

Evaluation of the Kinetics of Antibody Response to COVID-19 Vaccine in Solid Organ Transplant Recipients: The Prospective Multicenter ORCHESTRA Cohort

“…COVID-19 (coronavirus disease 2019) is caused by the severe acute respiration syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). Due to the rapid spread and high morbidity and mortality burden of COVID-19, major efforts were undertaken regarding the development of vaccines using preexisting or novel technologies [ 1 , 2 ]. Overall, the mRNA vaccines showed higher rates of protection than other vaccine types against severe disease and mortality, as well as against new variants of concern, and possessed an optimal safety profile [ 2 , 3 ].…”

“…Due to the rapid spread and high morbidity and mortality burden of COVID-19, major efforts were undertaken regarding the development of vaccines using preexisting or novel technologies [ 1 , 2 ]. Overall, the mRNA vaccines showed higher rates of protection than other vaccine types against severe disease and mortality, as well as against new variants of concern, and possessed an optimal safety profile [ 2 , 3 ]. This type of vaccine contains a nucleoside-modified mRNA that encodes the SARS-CoV-2 spike glycoprotein, eliciting both B- and T-cell responses and inducing a prolonged antibody production [ 2 ].…”

“…Overall, the mRNA vaccines showed higher rates of protection than other vaccine types against severe disease and mortality, as well as against new variants of concern, and possessed an optimal safety profile [ 2 , 3 ]. This type of vaccine contains a nucleoside-modified mRNA that encodes the SARS-CoV-2 spike glycoprotein, eliciting both B- and T-cell responses and inducing a prolonged antibody production [ 2 ]. Due to their efficacy and safety profiles, mRNA vaccines have been considered the first choice for protecting immunocompromised patients, such as hematological patients and solid organ transplant recipients, by some health systems ( (accessed on 17 April 2022).…”

Universal Flu mRNA Vaccine: Promises, Prospects, and Problems

“…Both vaccines are based on a similar principle. The Moderna and Pfizer vaccines were administered to hundreds of millions of people, efficiently protecting against moderate and symptomatic SARS-CoV-2 infection [ 35 ]. It should be noted that over time the effectiveness of vaccination inevitably decreases [ 36 ], which necessitates the use of revaccination.…”

The Landscape of Noncoding RNA in Pulmonary Hypertension

“…The FDA approved the siRNA therapeutic Patisirna chose LNPs delivery strategy [ 174 ], which is opening the gate of future RNAi therapeutics. mRNA vaccines for COVID-19 have been widely used in the world [ 175 , 176 ]. MRX34 is under a phase 1 clinical trial for advanced solid tumor treatment, and uses LNPs to deliver a double stranded miR-34a mimic [ 177 ].…”