Through unprecedented levels of collaboration by scientists around the world, Covid-19 vaccines have been developed at an extremely rapid pace. Just before the anniversary date of the first covid-19 symptomatic victim, the first vaccine was completed and began implementation. In Canada, we have successfully implemented 3 major vaccines to protect against the four big variants of covid, Alpha, Beta, Gamma, and Delta.
Nevertheless, when there are options to be chosen, people will have their prejudice. Consequently, this has led people to develop biases towards certain vaccine brands and refusal to be injected unless with their preferred brand of vaccine. This has led to waves of vaccine appointments abandoned while there is already a shortage of availability. The government has consistently tried to convey the message that taking any of the vaccines are fine and that they are eligible for mixed-doses. Though utilizing the same technology, there are only minor differences between each vaccine, however people will ignorantly refuse to take a vaccine that is not of their choosing.
The Numbers that People Won’t Believe
Pfizer Against
Symptomatic Infection
Vs. Alpha:
– 1st Dose: 66% Effective
– 2nd Dose 89% Effective
Vs. Beta/Gamma
– 1st Dose: 60% Effective
– 2nd Dose: 84% Effective
Vs Delta
– 1st Dose: 56% Effective
– 2nd Dose 87%
Hospitalization or Death
Vs. Alpha
– 1st Dose: 80% Effective
– 2nd Dose: 95% Effective
Vs. Beta/Gamma
– 1st Dose: 77% Effective
– 2nd Dose: 95% Effective
Vs. Delta
– 1st Dose: 78% Effective
– 2nd Dose: N/A
Moderna
Symptomatic Infection
Vs. Alpha:
– 1st Dose: 83% Effective
– 2nd Dose 92% Effective
Vs. Beta/Gamma
– 1st Dose: 77% Effective
– 2nd Dose: N/A
Vs Delta
– 1st Dose: 72% Effective
– 2nd Dose: N/A
Hospitalization or Death
Vs. Alpha
– 1st Dose:79% Effective
– 2nd Dose: 94% Effective
Vs. Beta/Gamma
– 1st Dose: 89% Effective
– 2nd Dose: N/A
Vs. Delta
– 1st Dose: 96% Effective
– 2nd Dose: N/A
AstraZeneca
Symptomatic Infection
Vs. Alpha:
– 1st Dose: 64% Effective
– 2nd Dose: N/A
Vs. Beta/Gamma
– 1st Dose: 48% Effective
– 2nd Dose: N/A
Vs Delta
– 1st Dose: 67% Effective
– 2nd Dose: N/A
Hospitalization or Death
Vs. Alpha
– 1st Dose: 85% Effective
– 2nd Dose: N/A
Vs. Beta/Gamma
– 1st Dose: 83% Effective
– 2nd Dose: N/A
Vs. Delta
– 1st Dose: 88% Effective
– 2nd Dose: N/A
As can be seen by the stats, Moderna is simply performing better than both Pfizer and AstraZeneca. While it does require 100 micrograms of dosage compared to Pfizer’s 30 microgram, Moderna was developed after Pfizer and is currently in the process of lowering the dosage amounts.
The Answers
But what about the fact that younger patients can’t take the Moderna or Astrazeneca vaccine but can take Pfizer?
While it does seem suspicious why younger patients are not allowed to take the other vaccines, there is an easy answer for that. It’s simply because Pfizer was the first vaccine and testing on children has already been conducted. It does not necessarily mean Pfizer is more effective or “better” than the other options, it simply means that it has been tested a bit more to increase its applicability. As explained by Dr. Zain Chalga, an infectious disease physician at St. Joseph’s Healthcare, the discrepancy between the AstraZeneca dosage effectiveness could be in part due to the lack of immune maturation before second doses in England where AstraZeneca was developed.
What about the side effects?
To date, there are no serious, long-term side effects that could harm a patient enough to deem the vaccine unsafe. It’s simply foolish to worry about potential harm that the side effects could inflict when there is an imminent danger of catching covid-19 every single day. It is important to take your vaccine as soon as you can to protect yourself and your family. The responsibility lies on each individual to take their vaccines to create herd immunity to protect those in the community who are unable to take the vaccine.
