Who developed the mRNA technology for the COVID-19 vaccine?

Two Penn researchers, Katalin Karikó, PhD, and Drew Weissman, MD, PhD, invented messenger RNA (mRNA) technology that serves as the foundation of the Pfizer/BioNTech and Moderna vaccines.

Who makes Moderna's COVID-19 vaccine?

Manufacturer: ModernaTX, Inc.

How long has the mRNA vaccine been around?

mRNA vaccines have been studied before for flu, Zika, rabies, and cytomegalovirus (CMV). As soon as the necessary information about the virus that causes COVID-19 was available, scientists began designing the mRNA instructions for cells to build the unique spike protein into an mRNA vaccine.

Are mRNA vaccines preferred over Johnson and Johnson vaccine for COVID-19?

The mRNA vaccines are preferred over Johnson & Johnson's Janssen COVID-19 vaccine (a viral vector vaccine) in most circumstances. Although mRNA vaccines are preferred, the J&J/Janssen COVID-19 vaccine may be considered in some situations.

How does the Johnson and Johnson COVID-19 vaccine work?

The J&J/Janssen COVID-19 vaccine also contains a piece of a modified virus that is not the virus that causes COVID-19. This modified virus is called the vector virus. The vector virus cannot reproduce itself, so it is harmless. This vector virus gives instructions to cells in the body to create an immune response.

RNA Vaccines (mRNA Vaccine) - Basis of Pfizer and Moderna COVID-19 vaccines, Animation

Is it safe to take the Johnson and Johnson COVID-19 vaccine?

For many people, the benefits of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine outweigh the risks. It's effective at preventing severe illness, hospitalization, and death from COVID-19, and it's the only single-dose option available. However, you'll still need to get a booster shot 2 months later.

Is the Johnson and Johnson COVID-19 vaccine a viral vector vaccine?

The Johnson & Johnson Janssen vaccine, a viral vector vaccine, is among the COVID-19 vaccines authorized for emergency use in the United States.

Why did the CDC among other reasons recommend the mRNA COVID-19 vaccines over the Johnson & Johnson vaccine?

In December, the CDC recommended a preference for the two mRNA vaccines over J&J in response to concerns that had been building over a small, but growing number of cases of a rare, but serious clotting disorder in people who'd gotten the shot.

What is the best vaccine for COVID-19?

In most situations, mRNA COVID-19 vaccines (Pfizer-BioNTech or Moderna) are preferred over the J&J/Janssen COVID-19 vaccine for primary and booster vaccination due to the risk of serious adverse events.

Are mRNA COVID-19 vaccines safe?

mRNA vaccines are safe and effective.
mRNA vaccines have been held to the same rigorous safety and effectiveness standards as all other types of vaccines in the United States.

Do mRNA COVID-19 vaccines cause heart inflammation?

These cases typically occur in male adolescents and young adults after the second dose, and within a week of vaccination. It is important to seek medical care if symptomatic (chest pain, shortness of breath, having a fast beating, fluttering, or pounding heart).

Are there any safety concerns concerning mRNA technology of the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine?

FDA does not have specific safety concerns with a vaccine that utilizes this technology.

How was the COVID-19 vaccine developed so quickly?

Scientists began work on the COVID-19 vaccine in January 2020. Dedicated vaccine funding helped move vaccine candidates through the pre-clinical/clinical assessments and trials both quickly and thoughtfully. This has enabled researchers to advance into phase 3 clinical trials (testing the vaccine on large groups of people to evaluate safety and effectiveness) in six months instead of the typical two years. The vaccine was mass produced before the clinical studies were complete to save time.

Who can get Paxlovid?

5. Can anyone get a Paxlovid prescription? The FDA authorized Paxlovid for people ages 12 and older who weigh at least 88 pounds. But in order to qualify for a prescription, you must also have had a positive COVID-19 test result and be at high risk for developing severe COVID-19.

What is the most important ingredient in both Pfizer and Moderna COVID-19 vaccines?

The most important ingredient in both the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines is mRNA. The mRNA tells your cells how to make a protein from the coronavirus. Once your body knows how to make the protein, it can recognize COVID-19 and fight it. Learn more about how mRNA vaccines work.

Is the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine FDA approved?

After a year of use under an FDA-issued EUA and ACIP interim recommendation, the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine received full FDA approval and is recommended by ACIP for use in persons aged ≥18 years in the United States.

Is the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine safe?

Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine Ingredients. All COVID-19 vaccine ingredients are safe. Nearly all of the ingredients in COVID-19 vaccines are ingredients found in many foods – fats, sugars, and salts. The Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine (COMIRNATY) also contains a harmless piece of messenger RNA (mRNA).

Can I choose which COVID-19 vaccine I get?

Yes, depending on your age, you can choose which COVID-19 vaccine to get. For adults ages 18 years and older, the mRNA COVID-19 vaccines (Pfizer-BioNTech or Moderna) are preferred over Johnson & Johnson’s Janssen (J&J/Janssen) COVID-19 vaccine. You may get J&J/Janssen COVID-19 vaccine in some situations.

Currently, Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine is the only COVID-19 vaccine available to children ages 5 through 17 years old.

Learn more about your COVID-19 vaccination, including how to find a vaccination location, what to expect at your appointment, and more.

Are the Pfizer and Moderna COVID-19 vaccines effective?

Yes. Two COVID-19 vaccines – Pfizer and Moderna - have been fully approved by the FDA and recommended by the CDC. Johns Hopkins Medicine views the FDA-approved mRNA vaccines from Pfizer and Moderna as highly effective at preventing serious disease, hospitalization, and death from COVID-19.

Is the Johnson and Johnson COVID-19 vaccine authorized for use in the US?

The Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine, also known as the Janssen COVID-19 Vaccine, is authorized for use under an Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) for active immunization to prevent Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2).

Who is at higher risk of getting blood clots from the Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine?

They are also more likely to occur in women who are pregnant or on oral contraceptives, or in people who have hereditary disorders that predispose them to blood clotting. As mentioned above, the clotting condition associated with the J&J vaccine is called thrombosis with thrombocytopenia (TTS).

Are egg products used in COVID-19 vaccines?

The COVID-19 vaccines currently authorized by the FDA are not manufactured using egg products or egg culture. See COVID-19 vaccines for more information.

What are the ingredients in the Janssen COVID-19 vaccine?

The Janssen COVID-19 Vaccine includes the following ingredients: recombinant, replication-incompetent adenovirus type 26 expressing the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein, citric acid monohydrate, trisodium citrate dihydrate, ethanol, 2-hydroxypropyl-β-cyclodextrin (HBCD), polysorbate-80, sodium chloride.

What is the Novavax COVID-19 vaccine?

Novavax's offering is a protein subunit vaccine, similar to those used to protect against flu, and for routine childhood immunisations against pertussis (whooping cough), and meningococcal infection.

Can Johnson and Johnson COVID-19 vaccine cause blood clots?

The FDA updated the J&J Janssen vaccine EUA with an additional warning, noting that “women under 50 should be made aware of a rare risk of blood clots and low platelets following vaccination,” said Dr. Fryhofer. “They also need to know there are other COVID vaccines out there that don’t pose this small risk.