Compare Moderna and Pfizer’s vaccines. Which is better for the third dose?

1. 
   A comparative analysis of mRNA vaccines, not yet reviewed, indicates that Moderny is more effective in preventing SARS-CoV-2 infection, hospitalization, and mortality.
2. 
   Why did Moderny perform better? Commenting on abc.zdrowie, Bartosz Fiałek points out two important issues: in the mRNA-1273 vaccine there is a more active agent than in BNT162b2, in addition, the recommended interval between doses is longer in the case of the first preparation
3. 
   The doctor points out that the difference in the effectiveness of both vaccines is not significantly higher, so it cannot be said that mRNA-1273 will be better
4. 
   You can find more about Coronavirus on the Onet homepage

Protection from infection, hospitalization and death. Scientists compare mRNA vaccines (unreviewed peer study)

Vaccines approved against COVID-19Which we can use effective and safe. However, questions still arise, could any of them be better? To what extent and to what extent? On January 7, a comparative analysis of the preparations of Moderna and Pfizer-BioNTech was published in the SSRN (a kind of repository of primary transcripts, that is, primary versions of scientific publications, not yet reviewed). These are mRNA vaccines, which, however, differ in the “dose” of the active ingredient, the intervals between doses, as well as the composition of the vectors of lipid nanoparticles that the mRNA contains.

Analyzes were performed on two large groups (mostly men). The first was vaccinated with Pfizer-BioNTech (BNT162b2 vaccines), the second – Moderna (with mRNA-1273 vaccine). Participants were vaccinated between December 11, 2020 and March 25, 2021, and did not have COVID-19 prior to vaccination (ethnicity and coexisting diseases were also taken into account). Each group consisted of 902,235 adults. Median follow-up was 192 days (5 to 8.5 months after vaccination).

The scientists collected, among other things, information on who had been vaccinated tested positive for SARS-CoV-2, data on hospitalizations within 30 days of COVID-19 diagnosis, and data on deaths within 30 days of diagnosis. It should be noted that the works were carried out at a time when the delta variant was dominant.

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Our modern high efficiency? RESULTS AND LIMITATIONS

Observations showed that people who took mRNA-1273 had about 26 percent. Lower risk of SARS-CoV-2 infection compared to BNT162b2 vaccines. As for the risk of hospitalization and death associated with COVID-19, it was lower in Moderny’s case. The difference between the two study groups increased over time from the end of the vaccination course.

Taking into account the specific numbers, the study showed that 7,000 were infected in the study groups after vaccination with PfizerBioNTech SARS-CoV-2. 206 people in the state of Moderna there were 5 thousand. 682. As for hospitalizations due to the emerging coronavirus (Covid-19), there were a thousand of them after BNT162b2. 679, after mRNA-1273-1 thousand. 185- In the case of death as a result of infection with the Corona virus, it was: 150 and 122 people, respectively.

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This study indicates that with regard to SARS-CoV-2 infection, hospitalization and death, the mRNA-1273 vaccine showed superior efficacy compared to the BNT162b2 vaccine. The safety and relative efficacy of both vaccines will continue to be investigated. It is also worth remembering the limitations accompanying the study. The authors note that there are many additional injuries and hospitalizations that were not included in the study. In addition, some deaths and hospitalizations after infection with SARS-CoV-2 may not be associated with infection, and the studied population was predominantly male, so it cannot be excluded that the results may be different for women. After all, only the delta dominance period was considered in the study.

The doctor comments on the study. two main things

In commenting on abczdrowie.pl, Bartosz Fiałek explains why Moderny’s setup works best. The doctor notes two facts. The first is a higher dose of the active ingredient (that is, in fact, a genetic sequence that encodes information about the production of S protein) in the mRNA-1273 vaccine, that is, 100 μg in a 0.5 ml dose (for BNT162b2 it is 30 μg in a 0.3 ml dose). – The higher the dose of the active substance, the stronger or faster the effect of the preparation – confirms Fiałek. On the other hand, the risks of side effects are also greater.

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The second issue is the timing of the next doses of the vaccine. In the case of PfizerBioNTech, the second dose is recommended after 21 days, and for Moderna treatment after 28 days. Bartosz Viaček states that some studies show that if the time between the first and second dose is extended “up to 16 weeks (the studies were conducted with the Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine), a stronger immune response is obtained compared to the 3-4 week interval.” – Of course, it is about moderate and typical reactions after vaccination that indicate the stimulation of the immune system, that is, the generation of an immune response – the doctor confirms.

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Moderna is the best booster? Doctor: I don’t think so

Can the above information (the study is preliminary and awaiting review) indicate that Moderna vaccine is most appropriate for primary immunization and as a booster dose? – I don’t think so – says Bartosz Vyaček directly, referring to the fact that the difference in the effectiveness of both vaccines is not much higher. – We do not have a case where Moderna vaccine is 95% effective and Pfizer-BioNTech is 50%. The differences are small – the doctor at Abczdrowie confirms (protection against COVID-19 in the case of Moderna is 95.9 percent, for Pfizer/BioNTech – 94.5 percent).

– I personally started a course of vaccination against COVID-19 with the Pfizer / BioNTech vaccine and despite the possible selection, I still received the preparation from the same manufacturer – says the specialist. – I do this with full awareness because it is recognized that in the case of mRNA vaccines, vaccination with the same product is preferred (unlike vector vaccines, where it is recommended to prepare mRNA as a booster).

Bartosz Vyacek also states that mixing vaccines is feasible, effective, and safe. “(…) The choice is individual, but in the case of mRNA, the dosage of the product itself is preferred” – he wrote on Facebook.

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