Currently the UK regulators, the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA), have authorised three vaccines for use. AstraZeneca and Pfizer have already started to be administered whilst the Moderna vaccine is not expected to be delivered until Spring at the earliest.
This week has seen another two vaccines announce they are ready to be considered for authorisation, Novavax and a single dose vaccine from Johnson & Johnson.
Here’s a comparison between AstraZeneca, Pfizer and Moderna’s drugs, plus the new vaccines.
Oxford-AstraZeneca:
The AstraZeneca vaccine has proven to be 90 per cent effective if administered in a half dose followed by a full dose.
The vaccine needs to be stored at temperatures between 2C and 8C and can be done so for at least six months.
The government has ordered 100 million shots – enough to inoculate 50 million Brits.
Pfizer-BioNTech:
Pfizer’s vaccine is 52 per cent effective after just one dose, but 95 per cent after the second dose.
The vaccine must be stored between -80C and -60C and can be stored for up to six months. Once delivered to a vaccination centre it can be stored in a fridge between 2C and 8C for up to five days.
It is understood that the UK’s initial order was for five million doses this year, with another 35 million to be delivered from next year.
Moderna:
Clinical trials for the Moderna vaccine show it is 94 per cent effective.
It can be stored either in a freezer between -25C and -15C up to its expiration date, or in a fridge between 2C and 8C for up to 30 days prior to its first use. It cannot be refrozen.
The government have ordered seven million doses of the Moderna vaccine to be delivered in the Spring with a further 10 million doses to be delivered after that.
Novavax:
Latest reports show the Novavax vaccine has an effective rate of around 89 per cent.
Similar to the Astrazeneca shot, the Novavax vaccine can also be stored at fridge temperatures, making it easier to distribute.
The UK has ordered 60 million doses of the Novavax vaccine, but it is awaiting approval by the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA).
Johnson & Johnson:
The shot with the least effective results, 66 per cent can be delivered in just one shot.
The vaccine will be stored at -20C and will remain stable at that temperature for up to two years. Once distributed to vaccination centres it can be kept at fridge temperatures for up to three months.
The UK has 30 million shots on order but like Novavax, itis also awaiting MHRA approval, but this is expected to be given soon.
