Evaluation of the Moderna, Pfizer/Biotech, Astrazeneca/Oxford and Sputnik V Vaccines for Covid-19

Abstract

The SARs-CoV-2 (COVID-19) virus, which was first identified in December 2019, in Wuhan China, is a respiratory virus that induces respiratory distress and a systemic inflammatory reaction in the vasculature mediated by a cytokine storm. Currently, 72 million people have been infected with 1.6 million deaths giving a mortality rate of 2.2% despite the best post-infective medical intervention available. Due to the rapid spread of the COVID virus and the worldwide pandemic that has developed, the rush for the development of a vaccine has become a priority amongst health care official's world-wide. In this review, we discuss what is currently known about the mechanism of action, efficacy, and toxicity of three of the most promising vaccines mRNA-1273 (Moderna), BNT162b2 (Pfizer/BioNtech), ChAdOx1 nCoV-19 (Astrazenac/Oxford), and rAd26)/rAd5 (Sputnik V) against COVID-19.

Adverse Events following Immunization with COVID-19 Vaccines: A Narrative Review

“…Similarly, neurological manifestations and allergy-like reactions were significantly more common in the Oxford-AstraZeneca group ( p < 0.001) [ 47 ]. The incidence of rare anaphylaxis was associated with 0.63% of the recipients of Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccines, whereas that with Oxford AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine was 0.3%, with the majority of it belonging to hemolytic anemia [ 48 ].…”

“…Sputnik V COVID-19 vaccine is available in two forms: frozen and lyophilized, with frozen showing a high incidence of hyperthermia, headache, and muscle/joint pain. Despite this, there is no evidence of any serious adverse events [ 48 ]. The active constituent of the vaccine is not always responsible for eliciting adverse reactions.…”

Recent and advanced nano-technological strategies for COVID-19 vaccine development

“…The Moderna and Pfizer/BioNTech vaccines have lipid nanoparticles as carriers. The mRNA which codes the S protein of the SARS-CoV-2 ( Polack et al, 2020 ) is loaded into phospholipid membranes ( De Soto, 2021 ). The introduction of the lipid-based nanoparticles into the host system results in the fusion of its phospholipid membrane with the host membrane and the discharge of the mRNA into the cytoplasm of the target cell.…”

“…The interleukins, in turn, cause the initially produced T-helper cells to proliferate and form T-helper memory cells. Both the T-helper cells and plasma cells produce antibodies against some domains of the S protein of SARS-CoV-2 during future attacks ( De Soto, 2021 ). Furthermore, through the MHC I complex, cytotoxic T cells are able to bind S protein fragments expressed by non-immune cells.…”

“…This interaction leads to the release of cytokines by cytotoxic cells and the proliferation and differentiation of B cells into plasma cells. Additionally, the interaction of the S protein with cytotoxic T cells paves the way for the elimination of cells infected by the S protein of the SARS-CoV-2 virus in the future ( De Soto, 2021 ).…”