Side-by-Side Comparison: COVID-19 Vaccine
The CDC has advised that, upon receiving the primary doses of one of the approved vaccines, people should also get a booster shot after a specific interval. This is due to the effectiveness of the vaccines waning over time. People who are at-risk for severe infection, such as the immunocompromised, are especially encouraged to get an additional shot. You can read more about booster recommendation details here.
All of these COVID-19 vaccines will protect you, but here’s a side-by-side comparison. Remember to talk with your doctor if you have concerns about getting the vaccine.
|
Pfizer |
Moderna |
Johnson & Johnson (Janssen) |
Novavax |
Number of doses |
2, 21 days apart |
2, 28 days apart |
1 |
2, 21 days apart |
Approved for what ages? |
6 months+ |
6 months+ |
18 years+ |
18 years+ |
Effectiveness against death |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Effective against current variants |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Effectiveness against disease in U.S. clinical trials |
95%
86% in 65 and older |
94.1%
86% in 65 and older |
72%
86% against severe disease |
90.4%
78.6% in 65+ |
Emergency Use Authorization |
Dec. 11, 2020 |
Dec. 18, 2020 |
Feb. 27, 2021* |
July 12, 2022 |
Type of Vaccine |
mRNA |
mRNA |
Vector
(modified common cold virus) |
Recombinant protein/adjuvants |
Most common side effects |
Fatigue, headache, chills, muscle pain |
Fatigue, headache, chills, muscle pain |
Fatigue, headache, chills, muscle pain |
Fatigue, headache, chills, muscle pain |
Testing for children? |
Approved for ages 6 months+ |
Approved for ages 6 months+ |
TBD |
TBD |
Who should not get the vaccine? |
History of allergic reaction to polyethylene glycol, polysorbate or other vaccine ingredients Allergic reaction to first dose |
History of allergic reaction to polyethylene glycol, polysorbate or other vaccine ingredients Allergic reaction to first dose |
History of severe reaction to vaccine ingredients, risk of rare blood clot in women under age 50 |
N/A |
Disclaimer: A direct comparison of effectiveness between the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines vs. the other vaccines
can’t be made, as COVID-19 was not as prevalent in the mRNA trials, and the variants had not developed. * EUA was paused April 13, 2021 and amended April 23, 2021 to include risk of rare blood clot in women under age 50.
+EUA was approved for ages 18 years and older on July 12, 2022, and on August 22, 2022, for ages 12-17.
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