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NFT: Moderna vs. Pfizer Vaccines - Which is better?

Grey Pilgrim : 4/5/2021 10:24 am
I just got my first Moderna shot, but I was hoping for a Pfizer.

Questions:

Are they both comparable in terms of efficacy? Side Effects?

TIA
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Yes  
Bill L : 4/5/2021 10:26 am : link
and yes.

If you have a choice of which vaccine to get, and this includes the Janssen (J&J), get the one which you can have first.
Doesn't seem to be a difference  
Csonka : 4/5/2021 10:26 am : link
My family got Moderna with no problems.
very similar  
I Love Clams Casino : 4/5/2021 10:27 am : link
with Moderna having slightly less efficacy. 94% vs 95%

They are, for all intents and purposes, the same thing.
...  
SFGFNCGiantsFan : 4/5/2021 10:27 am : link
Both are nearly identical in terms of protection, in the 95% range. More importantly, just get whatever you can. Not a dig @ you, but I have friends who are passing on J&J because they want Moderna or Pfizer. I believe J&J is something like 66% effective, but still...it will limit you getting really sick if you do get COVID & that's the whole point of the vaccines...to reduce hospitalizations/deaths.
My  
thomasa510 : 4/5/2021 10:27 am : link
My understanding is that they have similar efficacy but Moderna has more short term side effects.
my father  
pjcas18 : 4/5/2021 10:31 am : link
got Moderna with zero side effects.
I asked my friend who works daily with the vaccine  
crackerjack465 : 4/5/2021 10:31 am : link
if there was any difference and which one I should schedule.

"get whichever one they're willing to inject in your arm"

I got the Moderna. They're both the same.
From what I’ve read, they are essentially equivalent.  
Spider56 : 4/5/2021 10:31 am : link
Pfizer’s effacy numbers are slightly better, but considering the way these are calculated, I’d say the difference is negligible. Side effects are basically the same and driven by individual immune system response based on age, health, allergy history and possibly even blood type. The only real benefit I see is the wait time between 1st and 2nd shots is 3 weeks for Pfizer vs 4 weeks for Moderna. But you are good to go with either one.
One thing I never understood regarding J&J  
Mike in Long Beach : 4/5/2021 10:31 am : link
From what I understand, Moderna and Pfizer had similar efficacies after 1 shot, too. Mid-60%s. The second "booster" shot is what puts it over the top and into the mid-90%s.

I know that J&J has a different delivery method than the other two, but why wouldn't a second booster shot be beneficial with that one, too? Is it said different delivery method?
RE: Yes  
Heisenberg : 4/5/2021 10:35 am : link
In comment 15209630 Bill L said:
Quote:
and yes.

If you have a choice of which vaccine to get, and this includes the Janssen (J&J), get the one which you can have first.


This. In my family, we will have vaccine bingo.

My wife got Moderna. I have one shot of Pfizer and our oldest has one shot of Moderna. Two of the kids home from college this week are getting J&J one and done tomorrow. Our youngest gets Pfizer Thursday. It doesn't really matter which you get. Just get one. They're all extremely effective at reducing the impact of the virus.

Regarding the comparison of efficacy, it's important to note that these vaccines were tested individually for efficacy and not in a head to head comparison. That means they were tested at different times with different strains prevalent at the those times. Different populations and different locations. The results are not ideally suited for comparison as they were only intended to determine if they are effective at preventing infection and reducing the illness if infection occurs.
RE: One thing I never understood regarding J&J  
Heisenberg : 4/5/2021 10:35 am : link
In comment 15209642 Mike in Long Beach said:
Quote:
From what I understand, Moderna and Pfizer had similar efficacies after 1 shot, too. Mid-60%s. The second "booster" shot is what puts it over the top and into the mid-90%s.

I know that J&J has a different delivery method than the other two, but why wouldn't a second booster shot be beneficial with that one, too? Is it said different delivery method?


I believe they are testing this now.
I hope this clears it up  
sb from NYT Forum : 4/5/2021 10:36 am : link
Pfizer:

If you prefer a lighter style vaccine, definitely consider Pfizer. Unlike thick-skinned Moderna, Pfizer vaccines have very thin, delicate skins which produce a much lighter bodied injection, with a transparent ruby red color and classic flavors of red cherry, red currant, and wild strawberry. The warmer the climate, the richer expression you may find-think cherry cola-while cool-climate Pfizer reveals more earthy flavors and savory aromas like mushroom and forest fruits.

Moderna:

Considered by many vaccine lovers to be the king of hearty vaxes, Moderna is originally from the Bordeaux region of France, where's it's most commonly blended. The Moderna vaccine has a thick, hearty skin, which, along with its seeds and stems, contributes tannin to the injections-that's the compound that makes your tongue turn prickly and dry and it's also commonly experienced in black tea. Anyone that has ever over-steeped a cup of black tea knows exactly what this sensation feels like.
I got messed up  
big_blue : 4/5/2021 10:36 am : link
From j&j / it was pretty wild flu like symptoms/ fever.

My wife have a reaction. But not as severe

mom & dad / mom was ok / dad got messed up from moderna

Sister got jacked up from Pfizer her husband ok

It’s basically all the same stuff.


Just got my 1st Pfizer vaccine yesterday  
Saos1n : 4/5/2021 10:37 am : link
Minimal side effects

This morning, it felt like my big ass brother punched my arm, like we were kids. Other than that, nothing

Get my 2nd on the 25th
All 3 are very effective  
JonnyR : 4/5/2021 10:39 am : link
Pfizer and Moderna are similar vaccines that went through similar trials and came out with similar results. J&J is a different sort of vaccine and went through a different trial testing for different outcomes and had good results.

As someone has already said, you should probably take whichever one you can get first.
My wife and I got Moderna  
Rick in Dallas : 4/5/2021 10:39 am : link
No side effects at all.
What brand did you get for  
give66 : 4/5/2021 10:42 am : link
Polio?
Tetanus
MMR?
All of a sudden every internet cowboy is an expert.
Yeah it doesn't matter.
Very interesting video.  
simgiant : 4/5/2021 10:45 am : link
This gives you some perspectives on the efficacy numbers we have seen.
This should have all the info you need - ( New Window )
It's impossible to do a direct comparison between them all.  
guitarguybs12 : 4/5/2021 10:46 am : link
Yes the clinical efficacy of Pfizer and Moderna are higher but their Phase 3 trial was conducted during the late summer when COVID worldwide was at its lowest since April. Whereas J&J with it's lower efficacy was conducted mid winter during the highest period of worldwide COVID cases to date, AND with the rise of more contagious and severe variants.

Whos to say how the date would change if the clinical trial time periods were switched.

The important part is ALL vaccines are 100% effective in preventing hospitalization and death.
RE: I hope this clears it up  
wigs in nyc : 4/5/2021 10:47 am : link
In comment 15209650 sb from NYT Forum said:
Quote:
Pfizer:

If you prefer a lighter style vaccine, definitely consider Pfizer. Unlike thick-skinned Moderna, Pfizer vaccines have very thin, delicate skins which produce a much lighter bodied injection, with a transparent ruby red color and classic flavors of red cherry, red currant, and wild strawberry. The warmer the climate, the richer expression you may find-think cherry cola-while cool-climate Pfizer reveals more earthy flavors and savory aromas like mushroom and forest fruits.

Moderna:

Considered by many vaccine lovers to be the king of hearty vaxes, Moderna is originally from the Bordeaux region of France, where's it's most commonly blended. The Moderna vaccine has a thick, hearty skin, which, along with its seeds and stems, contributes tannin to the injections-that's the compound that makes your tongue turn prickly and dry and it's also commonly experienced in black tea. Anyone that has ever over-steeped a cup of black tea knows exactly what this sensation feels like.


Thanks, this helped!
fwiw, Pfizer is much more reputable company  
widmerseyebrow : 4/5/2021 10:55 am : link
This vaccine was Moderna's very first FDA approval. A friend in pharma said for that reason alone she prefers the Pfizer vaccine since the whole process was rushed.
RE: fwiw, Pfizer is much more reputable company  
sb from NYT Forum : 4/5/2021 11:01 am : link
In comment 15209680 widmerseyebrow said:
Quote:
This vaccine was Moderna's very first FDA approval. A friend in pharma said for that reason alone she prefers the Pfizer vaccine since the whole process was rushed.


I wouldn't say "rushed" really. Expedited doesn't mean rushed. "Rushed" implies sloppiness. My understanding is that the expedited development mostly resulted from reducing regulatory-mandated time periods.
RE: fwiw, Pfizer is much more reputable company  
Bill L : 4/5/2021 11:01 am : link
In comment 15209680 widmerseyebrow said:
Quote:
This vaccine was Moderna's very first FDA approval. A friend in pharma said for that reason alone she prefers the Pfizer vaccine since the whole process was rushed.

"Rushed" is probably one of the bigger misunderstandings out there.
RE: I hope this clears it up  
islander1 : 4/5/2021 11:02 am : link
In comment 15209650 sb from NYT Forum said:
Quote:
Pfizer:

If you prefer a lighter style vaccine, definitely consider Pfizer. Unlike thick-skinned Moderna, Pfizer vaccines have very thin, delicate skins which produce a much lighter bodied injection, with a transparent ruby red color and classic flavors of red cherry, red currant, and wild strawberry. The warmer the climate, the richer expression you may find-think cherry cola-while cool-climate Pfizer reveals more earthy flavors and savory aromas like mushroom and forest fruits.

Moderna:

Considered by many vaccine lovers to be the king of hearty vaxes, Moderna is originally from the Bordeaux region of France, where's it's most commonly blended. The Moderna vaccine has a thick, hearty skin, which, along with its seeds and stems, contributes tannin to the injections-that's the compound that makes your tongue turn prickly and dry and it's also commonly experienced in black tea. Anyone that has ever over-steeped a cup of black tea knows exactly what this sensation feels like.


I would give this some sort of award if it were on reddit.
RE: Very interesting video.  
Heisenberg : 4/5/2021 11:08 am : link
In comment 15209666 simgiant said:
Quote:
This gives you some perspectives on the efficacy numbers we have seen. This should have all the info you need - ( New Window )


Great link
"The Process was rushed"  
Ron from Ninerland : 4/5/2021 11:09 am : link
At this point who cares. The trials ended in November. Since then millions of people around the world have gotten the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines. Look at the results. These vaccines are as good as advertised both in terms of safety and efficacy.
NFT: Moderna vs. Pfizer Vaccines - Which is better?  
M.S. : 4/5/2021 11:12 am : link

In terms of overall protection, no difference.

And if there is a difference, I have not read or heard one scientist say so.

This really  
NDMedics : 4/5/2021 11:14 am : link
is the best explanation of efficacy.

https://www.vox.com/22362894/which-covid-vaccine-is-better-moderna-vs-pfizer-video

Sorry I couldn't get to link.
as a pharmacist  
Dave on the UWS : 4/5/2021 11:25 am : link
both the Pfizer and Moderna for all intent and purpose are identical. the major difference is 2nd shot for Pfizer is 21 days later, and Moderna is 28 days. There are differences in storage and handling from our standpoint, but that's not relevant for the general public.
As Bill said above, whichever vaccine you can get first, that's the one. Including J and J, it builds immunity as it goes along and reaches a comparable level after 56 days.
RE: This really  
islander1 : 4/5/2021 11:36 am : link
In comment 15209714 NDMedics said:
Quote:
is the best explanation of efficacy.

https://www.vox.com/22362894/which-covid-vaccine-is-better-moderna-vs-pfizer-video

Sorry I couldn't get to link.


Wow, thanks for this. I learned something.

Here's a link to it:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K3odScka55A
Got Moderna  
Matt in SGS : 4/5/2021 11:36 am : link
Had my 2nd shot last week. Knocked me on my ass for a day, had a fever between 101-103 and tired/headache. But after 24-36 hours felt fine like nothing was wrong.
Good read on J&J shot and the overall  
gmenrule-va : 4/5/2021 11:47 am : link
vaccine benefits. Just as many have said here, any vaccine is effective and should be taken.
Link - ( New Window )
I'm lined up for the Pfizer shot  
JonC : 4/5/2021 11:54 am : link
first one this week.
RE: fwiw, Pfizer is much more reputable company  
bw in dc : 4/5/2021 11:57 am : link
In comment 15209680 widmerseyebrow said:
Quote:
This vaccine was Moderna's very first FDA approval. A friend in pharma said for that reason alone she prefers the Pfizer vaccine since the whole process was rushed.


The process was streamlined and the FDA went through their standard protocols for the requests by each company.
Got my first Moderna shot yesterday  
ChathamMark : 4/5/2021 11:58 am : link
No issues, not even injection site soreness.
Based on my personal experience  
ShockNRoll : 4/5/2021 11:58 am : link
With people I know and myself, it seems like Pfizer’s side effects aren’t as intense as Moderna’s. I got my 2nd Moderna Friday and Saturday I was in pain. A friend I spoke to about it before I got mine who had his said “I felt like I got hit by a Mack truck” and that truly encapsulates the way I felt. Brutal headache, fever over 100, and physically just not being able to do anything but lie in bed. From 9 AM to 6 PM Saturday, this was how I felt. After I ate dinner Saturday, I almost immediately felt back to normal.
RE: One thing I never understood regarding J&J  
Section331 : 4/5/2021 11:59 am : link
In comment 15209642 Mike in Long Beach said:
Quote:
From what I understand, Moderna and Pfizer had similar efficacies after 1 shot, too. Mid-60%s. The second "booster" shot is what puts it over the top and into the mid-90%s.

I know that J&J has a different delivery method than the other two, but why wouldn't a second booster shot be beneficial with that one, too? Is it said different delivery method?


They're differing technologies. Both Pfizer and Moderna are mRNA vax's, which don't inject the actual virus into your body, but a lab-created template. J&J is the more traditional vax that does include parts of the COVID vax.

The important thing to understand about J&J's efficacy rates is that it was tested later, and in areas (S Africa and Latin America) where newer strains were spreading. I believe their efficacy in N America was around 85%.
RE: Just got my 1st Pfizer vaccine yesterday  
AcidTest : 4/5/2021 12:00 pm : link
In comment 15209654 Saos1n said:
Quote:
Minimal side effects

This morning, it felt like my big ass brother punched my arm, like we were kids. Other than that, nothing

Get my 2nd on the 25th


Got my first Pfizer shot on Saturday. Same reaction. Sore arm and nothing else.
I got  
Professor Falken : 4/5/2021 12:01 pm : link
J&J an hour ago. So far, so good. Knock wood. ;-)
...  
christian : 4/5/2021 12:03 pm : link
After the first Moderna, my arm felt like I got shot with a canon ball for 2 days. Couldn’t move it high enough to put on a shirt.

I think the moral of the story is there are varied effects, but none serious enough to even blink at getting the earliest available to you.
I'm fully vaxed now with Pfizer  
Stan in LA : 4/5/2021 12:04 pm : link
But I am not taking off my mask anytime soon. Does anyone realize why there was no flu season this year?

Yes, that's right.
I got my 2nd Pfizer shot last week.  
Section331 : 4/5/2021 12:06 pm : link
The first shot was no big deal, my arm was sore, and I was a little fatigued the next day. The 2nd shot was a bit more intense. I felt great the day of the shot, but felt increasingly worse on day 2. Light flu symptoms - a chill, some body aches - took a nap and I was fine.
question  
LG in NYC : 4/5/2021 12:08 pm : link
Getting my 2nd Pfizer shot on apr 21st (noon time).
I am due to play golf Friday morning (23rd)...

re: side effects, do they generally start 24 hours after the shot and last for 24 hours, thus putting my golf outing at risk? Or do they generally come on more immediately post-shot?

trying to decide my likelihood of making this outing!
(small problems, I know)
RE: Got Moderna  
sb from NYT Forum : 4/5/2021 12:11 pm : link
In comment 15209746 Matt in SGS said:
Quote:
Had my 2nd shot last week. Knocked me on my ass for a day, had a fever between 101-103 and tired/headache. But after 24-36 hours felt fine like nothing was wrong.


My brother had the exact same experience. Knocked out with fever and chills for an afternoon/evening, was completely fine the next morning.
I got the 2nd Pfizer shot  
Des51 : 4/5/2021 12:12 pm : link
slight head ache that night. My son and his wife got 2nd Pfizer and had a bad head ache that night. My wife got 2nd Moderna shot and had no reaction.
...  
SFGFNCGiantsFan : 4/5/2021 12:13 pm : link
Been fully vaccinated since mid February & went to restaurant this past weekend for the first time in over a year. It felt good...and weird.
RE: question  
sb from NYT Forum : 4/5/2021 12:16 pm : link
In comment 15209809 LG in NYC said:
Quote:
Getting my 2nd Pfizer shot on apr 21st (noon time).
I am due to play golf Friday morning (23rd)...

re: side effects, do they generally start 24 hours after the shot and last for 24 hours, thus putting my golf outing at risk? Or do they generally come on more immediately post-shot?

trying to decide my likelihood of making this outing!
(small problems, I know)


I had my second Pfizer 10 days ago. I felt a little light-headed right after, then ok, but by evening I had body aches and was pretty tired. I felt better the next day, good enough for a bike ride.
RE: I'm fully vaxed now with Pfizer  
ShockNRoll : 4/5/2021 12:17 pm : link
In comment 15209802 Stan in LA said:
Quote:
But I am not taking off my mask anytime soon. Does anyone realize why there was no flu season this year?

Yes, that's right.


Preach brother!!! Knock on wood, I have not experienced a single symptom (aside from an occasional headache) since I recovered from the flu last February. While I don’t know that I’ll always wear a mask every day the rest of my life (assuming mask mandates will eventually be lifted), but I think a lot of people will wear them during the winter months for this reason.
For those who say the process was "rushed"  
Dave on the UWS : 4/5/2021 12:17 pm : link
there's a misunderstanding. All companies who were developing vaccines starting last March, were given "limited objectives" by the FDA. The intent was to develop a vaccine for 21 and older than "prevented someone who contracts the virus from getting moderate to severe symptoms and needs hospitalization.
That's it!
So without having to do all test groups, finding out if the vaccine prevents contraction, or rep-transmission, they were able to streamline Phase 1, 2 and 3 to do a COMPLETE process in 8-12 months.
Research is ongoing. For example, both Pfizer and Moderna are safe and effective and patient populations down to 16 years. on going is studies down to 12.
Indications are these vaccines DO prevent contraction and re-transmission. studies will be ongoing for YEARS yet.
This is why they ALL have EUAs (emergency use authorization)
For people who say "I don't know what they can do to me in the future!" Fair sentiment, but as the variants become more lethal, COVID WILL kill you in greater percentages.
Get the vaccine, its the better percentage play!!
Hope this helps.
RE: RE: One thing I never understood regarding J&J  
Bill L : 4/5/2021 12:17 pm : link
In comment 15209789 Section331 said:
Quote:
In comment 15209642 Mike in Long Beach said:


Quote:


From what I understand, Moderna and Pfizer had similar efficacies after 1 shot, too. Mid-60%s. The second "booster" shot is what puts it over the top and into the mid-90%s.

I know that J&J has a different delivery method than the other two, but why wouldn't a second booster shot be beneficial with that one, too? Is it said different delivery method?



They're differing technologies. Both Pfizer and Moderna are mRNA vax's, which don't inject the actual virus into your body, but a lab-created template. J&J is the more traditional vax that does include parts of the COVID vax.

The important thing to understand about J&J's efficacy rates is that it was tested later, and in areas (S Africa and Latin America) where newer strains were spreading. I believe their efficacy in N America was around 85%.


The idea is that antibodies bind to foreign proteins (that's simplistic, but for the sake of discussion...) and for this virus that binding prevents the virus from infecting your cells If you think back to your bio classes, proteins are made off of a mRNA template and the mRNA is made off of a DNA template (simplistically). Pfizer and Moderna simply provide that mRNA template to your cells and lets your cells' protein-making machinery make the proteins. The viruses are a pretty whopping amount of mRNA that your cells pick up and use to make proteins, just as if it was your own mRNA. But once that mRNA is used up, there is no more protein and nothing left to stimulate the immune response.

J&J takes the DNA that will make the mRNA and stitches it into the DNA of a harmless virus. That virus infects your cells and, as viruses do, the virus takes over your protein-making machinery to make the viral proteins (one of which is now the coronavirus protein). The virus also grows and spreads to infect other cells before the immune system catches up to it an quashes the infection. So, here you're starting with a smaller amount of COVID mRNA and waiting until the virus grows and produces a lot. It's a slow burn versus a fast fire. But, because it's an actual virus, you get a longer period in which to stimulate the immune response (basically until all the virus is cleared) and the vaccine can bring a lot of immune elements into the picture so that you can make a vigorous responses. Some of that makes it so you don't need the second dose like you do with the quick-burning mRNA
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