Clinical trials on the COVID-19 vaccine are crucial to ensure the quality, safety, and effectiveness of the biologic. Around the world, several companies such as Pfizer/BioNTech, Moderna, Astra Zeneca, Johnson and Johnson, among others, have taken the challenge of developing a COVID-19 vaccine in record time, in order to diminish the impact of the ongoing pandemic.
These clinical trials have allowed identifying the percentage of effectiveness of most of the vaccines. For example, comparing the four aforementioned vaccines, the one developed by Pfizer/BioNTech, which is based on mRNA technology, showed effectiveness of up to 95%. Another mRNA technology-based vaccine developed by the biotech firm Moderna has shown effectiveness up to 94.1% in the prevention of symptomatic disease.
The vaccine developed by Astra Zeneca in partnership with Oxford University uses different technology. It is a carrier vaccine, which contains an innocuous modified adenovirus, enclosing the spike protein found in SARS-CoV-2. This vaccine has around 76% of effectiveness after receiving the two required doses, and a surprising 100% effectiveness against serious COVID-19 illness. Finally, Johnson and Johnson biologic, which has a similar technology to Astra Zeneca’s, has demonstrated an overall effectiveness of up to 72%.
Several debates have taken place on which vaccine is the best, but clinical trials have shown that all approved vaccines avoid serious COVID illness and decrease hospitalisation and death.
In Acceler8 Clinical Research we are committed to help to minimize the spread and impact of COVID-19 by getting fully vaccinated. Some of our team members are already immunized and this is one of their thoughts.
Recent successful vaccine trials have raised hopes of an end to the COVID-19 pandemic, which has affected millions of lives around the globe. Thanks to well organised vaccination drive in many countries, millions are getting vaccinated every day. Fear of complications or side effects has made many spurn Covid-19 vaccine around the world including me. But by performing a health check and review by my doctor before vaccination, gave me enough confidence to get vaccinated. I was able to get my first dose in July 2021. The only side effect I experienced was pain at the injection site which disappeared completely on the 3rd day. Hopefully, we reach 100% vaccinated by end of 2021 in all the countries and to travel and see family next year.
-Acceler8 Team Member