The global rollout of the vaccines for COVID-19 has been the subject of much contention all over the world. There’s a lot of information coming out at once, and with so many stakeholders it can be hard to keep up. Here’s a brief rundown of each of the currently Canadian-approved COVID-19 vaccines as well as how they work and how soon Albertans can expect to get one.
What are the types of vaccines?
There are two kinds of vaccines: mRNA vaccines and vector virus vaccines.
mRNA vaccines work by delivering mRNA to your cells. The cells read the mRNA like an instruction manual and learn how to create a protein. The protein triggers an immune response. After the response is triggered, the body makes the appropriate antibodies, which help your body fight off the virus and prevent infection. This type of vaccine is unique in that it doesn’t require the injection of a live virus to be effective.
Vector virus vaccines, on the other hand, work through the injection of an adenovirus (such as those which cause the common cold) encoded with the spike proteins attached to the surface of the SARS-CoV-2 virus (the virus responsible for COVID-19).
This is not the same as injecting the actual SARS-CoV-2 virus. Rather, the adenovirus is a harmless virus being used as a vector or delivery system. It teaches your immune system how to deal with SARS-CoV-2 by producing these spike proteins. When it’s done its job, it goes away.
What vaccines are out there?
Pfizer-BioNTech (Tozinameran or BNT162b2)
Unlike the other vaccines (which require you to be at least 18) the Pfizer-BioNTech mRNA vaccine has been approved for individuals 16 and older. With a reported 95% efficacy rate against the original variant of the virus, it has tested well against the British (B.1.1.7) variant. However, it may have decreased efficacy against the South African (B.1.351) one. This vaccine requires two shots administered three weeks apart.
Moderna (mRNA-1273)
Like the Pfizer vaccine, the Moderna vaccine is an mRNA vaccine. It’s been approved for people over the age of 18 and has a reported 94.1% efficacy rate against symptomatic infections. This number drops a little lower for individuals over 65 years of age. It’s thought to protect against the B.1.1.7 and B.1.351 variants, but research to confirm this is still being conducted. This vaccine requires two shots administered four weeks apart.
Oxford-AstraZeneca (ChAdOx1-S)
After a small number of recipients developed blood clots, the use of this vaccine was paused in March. However, its use has now been resumed in Canada, and it’s the only vaccine available to the general public born prior to 1981 (the most inclusive tier of Alberta’s vaccine rollout so far). With a reported general efficacy of 76% against the regular variant (reportedly 85% for those above 65) and a similarly high number against the B.1.1.7 variant, this vaccine is not currently being used in the US but is approved in many countries for emergency use. This vector virus vaccine is cheaper to make and store than the others and requires two doses administered four to twelve weeks apart.
Johnson&Johnson/Janssen (Ad26.COV2.S)
The only one out of the four currently approved vaccines that require only one shot for full immunization, the J&J vaccine has a 72% overall efficacy against the normal variant and seems to offer similar protection against the British variant. However, that number is about ten percent lower for the South African variant. Despite some controversy surrounding severe blood clotting conditions caused by this vaccine, the CDC and FDA have just given the go-ahead to resume its use. This vaccine is a vector virus vaccine and is currently approved for individuals eighteen years and older. It is also undergoing testing to get it approved for use on children.
Which vaccine should I get?
According to the CDC, “the best COVID-19 vaccine is the first one that is available to you.” Some protection is much better than no protection, and all vaccines contribute to herd immunity. Furthermore, despite a few controversies surrounding rare blood clotting disorders and other side effects, all of the vaccines in circulation have undergone thorough study to ensure that they are safe. All of the vaccines in circulation now are also proven as effective. And even if you are one of the few who become infected, being vaccinated will reduce your risk of becoming seriously ill.
When can I get vaccinated?
As of March 15 this year, the Canadian federal government had promised to get everyone who wants to be immunized access to a vaccine by September 2021.
If you’re an Albertan, AHS is keeping information about vaccine eligibility and rollout on their website. We’re currently in Phase 2 of vaccine rollout, with Phase 3 (opening of the vaccine to the general public) estimated for May-June. AHS is also releasing infographics with a condensed version of the info on the website; here’s the latest.
In the meantime, stay safe everyone and check out the federal government’s vaccine hotspot page for more information as it comes.