How Many COVID-19 Vaccines Are Available?

Distributing an effective vaccine may be the best way to curb the spread of the deadly novel coronavirus. In light of this, the United States Government recently authorized the emergency use of two COVID-19 vaccines. The two vaccines currently available in the US are:

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1) Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine

Name: BNT162b2

Vaccine type: mRNA

Manufacturer: Pfizer Inc., and BioNTech

Number of shots: 2 shots (21 days apart)

Site of vaccine shot: The muscle of the upper arm

Doesn’t contain: Latex, eggs, and preservatives

Suitable for: Individuals aged 16 years and more

Unsuitable for: People who have had a severe allergic reaction (anaphylaxis) or an immediate allergic reaction (even if it wasn’t severe) to any of the ingredients in an mRNA vaccine (including polysorbate and polyethylene glycol [PEG]), or after getting the first dose of the vaccine. An immediate allergic reaction occurs after four hours or more of getting vaccinated, and its symptoms include wheezing (respiratory distress), hives, or swelling.

Common side effects: Redness, swelling, or pain in the arm where you received the shot. Tiredness, headache, or chills throughout the rest of your body.

2) Moderna COVID-19 vaccine

Name: mRNA-1273

Vaccine type: mRNA

Manufacturer: ModernaTX, Inc.

Number of shots: 2 shots (28 days apart)

Site of vaccine shot: The muscle of the upper arm

Doesn’t contain: Preservatives, latex, and eggs

Suitable for: Individuals who are 18 years and older

Unsuitable for: People who have had a severe allergic reaction (anaphylaxis) or an immediate allergic reaction (even if it wasn’t severe) to any of the ingredients in an mRNA vaccine (including polysorbate and polyethylene glycol [PEG]), or after getting the first vaccine shot. An immediate allergic reaction occurs after four hours or more of taking the vaccine shot, and its symptoms include swelling, wheezing (respiratory distress), or hives.

Common side effects: Swelling, pain, or redness in the arm where you got the shot. Headache, tiredness, and chills throughout the rest of your body.

These vaccines may be the key to containing COVID-19 and bringing some semblance of normalcy to the world.

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