While the Covid-19 pandemic has ravaged the world for the better part of a year, there is now a little bit of light at the end of the tunnel. Two pharmaceutical giants in Pfizer and Moderna have recently had their vaccines for Covid-19 approved for use in the USA and Canada.
Unfortunately, this news came with a lot of myths, misinformation, and skepticism about the virus. If you want to know the truth and know what are myths, be sure to check out this covid vaccine myths and facts article for a look at the facts.
To help you traverse the information and ensure you are educated on the topic, this article is going to go over everything you should know about the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines.
How Do They Work?
There are many different types of vaccines out there. In most cases, a vaccine contains a weakened version or component of the virus, which is then introduced into the body. This triggers an immune response, which your body uses to create antibodies to destroy the virus. Once it does this, it will remember forever and be able to quickly destroy the virus the next time it comes in contact with it.
These Covid-19 vaccines work a little differently. Instead of introducing a weakened version of Covid-19 into your body, the vaccine simply has a small piece of the genetic code of the virus in the form of mRNA. Your body will use this code to be able to create the spike protein of the virus and learn how to defend against it. So the next time you come in contact with that protein on the actual Covid-19 virus, your body will be able to stop it from infecting you by destroying the spike protein.
Are They Safe?
Yes, these vaccines are generally safe. They have been tested in clinical trials with numerous subjects, and have done well enough to make it this far. They have both been approved by the FDA, which should give most people confidence. There are potentially serious side effects for some, but an overwhelming majority of people will only experience minor side effects like soreness at the injection site, fatigue, and headaches, which are in line with other vaccines.
Of course, there are always risks if you have underlying health conditions or have suffered from major allergic reactions in the past. If you are at all worried, simply speak to an educated healthcare professional about your unique concerns and they will be able to help you out.
What are the Differences, and Which is Better?
So there are currently two vaccines that have been approved for use in the USA and Canada, from both Pfizer and Moderna. The two are quite similar in how they work, their contents, and their effectiveness. There are some important distinctions and differences between the two, however.
While the Moderna vaccine can be stored and transported at temperatures at least -20 degrees celsius, the Pfizer vaccine requires it to be stored at -70 degrees celsius. Another key difference is the age that people must be to get them. While anyone over the age of 16 can get the Pfizer vaccine, you must be over 18 to get the offering from Moderna.
As for which one is better, they have both been deemed equally effective. As a result, whichever is available in your area and whichever you can get first is generally the one you should go with. They both will protect you from the virus and share similar ingredients and potential side effects.
In conclusion, we hope that this article was able to help you better understand both the Pfizer and Moderna Covid-19 vaccines.
--
By: Ashley Lipman
Ashley Lipman is an award-winning writer who discovered her passion for providing knowledge to readers worldwide on topics closest to her heart - all things digital. Since her first high school award in Creative Writing, she continues to deliver awesome content through various niches touching the digital sphere.
