Comparison between Pfizer and Moderna COVID-19 Vaccines Authorized in the U.S.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has recently approved COVID-19 vaccines. They come from two leading laboratories in the field – the Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna.

Both vaccines use the same technology, known as mRNA, and teach your body to provide an adequate immune response to COVID-19 without using the live virus that causes it.

However, there are some significant differences between the two vaccines regarding their storage and the overall vaccination process logistics.

Storage temperature

  • Pfizer-BioNTech – has to be stored in less than -94o F and can stay in a regular fridge for up to 5 days
  • Moderna – Requires -4o F storage temperature and can remain in a standard fridge up to 30 days

Preparation

  • Pfizer-BioNTech – requires dilution with salt water (saline)
  • Moderna – ready-to-use

Vaccination age range

  • Pfizer-BioNTech – 16 y.o. +
  • Moderna – 18 y.o. +

Shots required

  • Pfizer-BioNTech – 2 shots, 21 days apart
  • Moderna – 2 shots, 28 days apart

Side effects

Both Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna vaccines demonstrate similar character and frequency of side effects. Those are pain at the injection site, followed by tiredness, headache, muscle pain, joint pain, and chills. Several patients reported severe allergic reactions. However, all of them had a history of allergies to certain components of the vaccine.

 

COVID-19 Vaccination for the Older Americans: Anticipated Timeframe and Perspectives

The first COVID-19 vaccines became available in the US by the end of 2020. However, because of poor logistics and administration, fewer than 10 million people had received their first doses by the middle of January 2021.
Due to the current shortage in the available doses and uneven demographics from state to state, vaccination priorities remain unclear in most of the country.


The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends prioritizing elderly citizens (75 y.o. +) as well as healthcare frontline and essential workers in the first wave of vaccination. However, vague instruction and a lack of federal guidance have led to confusion about vaccination priorities and perspectives.

The vaccination forecasts remain uncertain due to shipment and logistics issues. The limitations over healthcare workers and facilities that receive the vaccine are another crucial deterrent. As a result, most experts predict vaccination of the general public will not be possible until Summer 2021.
Still, not all American citizens are willing to get vaccinated immediately. According to the recent poll, 54% of older Americans would prefer to wait and see how others respond to the doses first.


At the same time, the efficiency of vaccination depends on the widespread participation of the public. Experts claim that the disease can`t be defeated until 90% of the population gets vaccinated.


That is why most state officials consider launching educational campaigns to explain the effect and importance of vaccination. But the pandemic has impacted most fiscal budgets, making these campaign initiatives tougher to implement.