What do we know about the vaccines?

As long as we are discussing vaccines from the Western World (in other words NOT the Sputnik or the Sinopharm), then we can make some general statements.

First, all the vaccines do prevent those fully inoculated from developing a severe case of COVID-19.  And, it seems, those who’ve been jabbed can avoid Long Covid (by a factor of about 20; an as yet unpublished study headed by Dr. Tim Spector, Kings College, London)  – but the jury may still be out on this, since the data has not been reviewed.   (However, we do have indications that those who already  have Long COVID derive benefit from inoculations.  [Moderna seems to provide the best results in this case.])

mRNA Vaccines

Pfizer-BioNTech

Right now, most of these vaccines are produced in Michigan (Kalamazoo) and Belgium (Puurs); the vaccine has passed muster in some 97 countries (including the USA).   Some hundreds of millions of doses have been administered.

The initial results (before the variants appeared) demonstrated the vaccine was 95% effective in stopping humans from developing symptomatic COVID-19.  Actual live data now shows that 89% of those injected avoid hospitalization and 100% against being in an ICU (Intensive Care Unit).    The problem (as we will see with other injections) is that it doesn’t stop folks from transmitted the disease to others (the viral particles congregate in our nasal passages), so transmission is only diminished by 41 to 79%.  (It is 88% effective (after 2 doses) against the delta variant.)

While we don’t have significant long-term data, it seems that the effectiveness drops from 95 or 96% (initially) to 84% after 4 to 6 months post-injection.  We do know that Pfizer is pushing for a third (booster) shot; data indicates a third shot administered 6 months after the second dose augments antibody production against the delta variant by a factor of 5.

Moderna

Moderna’s vaccine is produced in Norwood (MA), but about to be produced in 3 locations around the world.  It is approved for use in 64 countries (including the USA).   While 100 million doses have been administered, that number should grow to almost 1 billion by the end of the year.

It also is 95% effective against symptomatic disease, 93% against infection (symptomatic or asymptomatic), and 100% against severe forms of COVID-19. (It precludes 86% of the hospitalizations and 100% from being transferred to an ICU.)

Transmission to others seems to be blocked at about 61%.

There doesn’t seem to be a big drop off in effectiveness 6 months post the double inoculation.  It’s also not clear if a booster shot will be necessary.

Attenuated Virus Forms

Johnson & Johnson (Jannsen)

This vaccine employs a (human) adenovirus as the vector, encoded with a gene for the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein.  It is approved for use in 59 countries (including the USA).  Production is in the Netherlands and the USA.  Only about 13 million doses have been administered here in the States.  But, as opposed to the mRNA vaccines, this vaccine only needs a single dose.

There is less data for the vaccine than the first two mentioned above, but it seems to be 66% effective against developing a severe to moderate infection and 85% against severe disease symptoms.  There have been no hospitalizations or deaths to data for those who’ve received the J&J vaccine.

We have no idea how long immunity may last from this drug, but we do know that it is far less effective against the delta variant,  which is why a second dose of the vaccine is being strongly considered.

Vaccines in other countries

Covaxin

This is an inactive vaccine (altered form that precluded replication), made in India.  It is approved in India and 8 other countries; the USA has declined to provide approval due to insufficient data.  The manufacturer claims a 93% effectiveness against severe illness; 78% against symptomatic infections and 64% for asymptomatic infections.

We have no idea for how long the vaccine is effective.

Sputnik V

This Russian vaccine uses tweaked adenoviruses (similar to J&J and the soon-to-be-discussed Astra-Zeneca vaccines).  However, the virus is different between the first and second dose (supposedly invigorating the immune response).  It is approved in 69 countries (mostly Third World) with some 600 million does administered (more than 1/3 in India).

There is limited data on effectiveness or long term immunity (a booster shot is already being delivered 6 months after the second inoculation).

Sinopharm (and other Chinese vaccines)

Using viruses isolated from Chinese patients, they are grown in cell culture and then soaked in beta-propiolactone to render the virus inactive.  It is approved in 59 countries (mostly Third World).

The vaccine seems to be 78% effective in precluding symptomatic disease, but as the variants increase from alpha to delta- the effectiveness drops.

Oxford/AstraZeneca

This vaccine is similar to the J&J version, but the virus is obtained from chimpanzees, rather than humans. It is approved in 121 countries (but not the USA).  Most of the vaccine is produced in the UK, but there are 14 countries also supplying the drug.

Some 1 billion doses have been manufactured- but it’s not clear how many have been administered.

This vaccine has a rare side effect of blood clotting (already discussed on this blog), vaccine-induced immune thrombotic thrombocytopenia (VITT).  It appears to be 67% effective at treating the delta variant.

With two doses, hospitalization is reduced by at least 80% and infections by 65 to 90%.

We have insufficient data regarding its long-term effectiveness, but booster shots are already the norm for the vulnerable and those over 50.

There you have it.  These vaccines that are available now- around the world.