COVID-19 VACCINES: A COMPREHENSIVE GUIDE

FOR THE BRISAYANO

More and more people begin to line up in single file outside as the world enters the next phase of
the pandemic. Nowadays, it’s merely a question of “when” – who’s turn is it to get vaccinated.

As of October 18, 2021, an estimate of 6.65 billion COVID-19 vaccines have been distributed worldwide.
This was made possible due to the global effort that several nations and thousands of scientists have
poured into ever since day one. Today, everyone is scrambling to get an opportunity for inoculation,
keeping keen eyes on immunization programs.

However, others are still wondering on what type of vaccine they should get, or if they should get
vaccinated at all.

Information on the internet can be misleading. Fake news or false information tend to be all over the
place, and is difficult to distinguish. On the other hand, reliable information can sometimes be too
overwhelming, and sifting through it all becomes a chore too terrible to bear. Or perhaps us Brisayanos
can simply become too busy to be constantly informed on the latest bit of news.

In response to that problem, this comprehensive guide details the basics and types of vaccines, and
includes facts about the vaccines currently approved for Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) by the
Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

WHAT ARE VACCINES?

A vaccine is defined as a substance introduced into the body for protection from a specific disease. The
vaccine itself is not a cure. They are fragments of an organism that has been either weakened or killed,
and reacts with the body’s immune system to create antibodies that will fight against the disease. These
are the body’s natural disease-fighter.

In a non-pandemic setting, a vaccine would take at least 10 or more years to develop. Once ample
research and testing has been done to create a feasible product, the potential vaccine is then sent through
rigorous clinical trials. Only by passing all the tests it can be prepared, packaged, shipped, and distributed
to the population.

These clinical trials are done in main 3 phases:

The first phase begins by testing the vaccine’s safety and potential side effects. If the vaccine is verified
to have been safe, the second phase begins which further explores efficacy and safety in larger groups.
Once passed, it moves onto Phase 3 trials which involve up to tens of thousands of people and test if there
are any rare side effects that show up in larger groups. An additional 4 th Phase occurs when the vaccine is
approved and released, monitoring long term effectiveness and side effects across a massive population.

These trials usually take several months, or even years, in order to properly assess and verify the results.
Very few vaccines even make it to the third phase, and it’s thanks to the urgency of the pandemic that
vaccines for COVID-19 were able to move out so quickly.
WHY SO MANY?
Today, nearly 130 COVID-19 vaccine candidates are undergoing clinical trials. As of recent, two new
vaccines are conducting phase 1/2 clinical trials. While there are already 21 vaccines being distributed all
over the world, companies are still branching out on more opportunities.

There is an important reason for this. More vaccines mean that more people from all over the world can
access them. The more people that are vaccinated, the closer the world is to ending the pandemic.

Pfizer-BioNTech is one of the leading vaccines in the world. It was created by a collaboration between
two biotechnology companies – Pfizer from the US, and BioNTech from Germany. This vaccine is
known to be highly effective against the disease, showing a solid 95% efficacy during its phase 3 trials. It
is recommended for people 12 years old and above, as opposed to other vaccines that remain on the 18-
year-old mark. Pfizer’s 2-shot vaccination program is set to be 21 days, or 3 weeks apart.

Countries all over the world have shown preference for Pfizer, purchasing well over 3.5 billion of its
doses so far. According to a nationwide survey, a majority of 32% Filipinos preferred Pfizer’s vaccine.
Second to Sinovac, which was 39%. Its official name, Cominarty, represents a mashup of the words
covid-19, community, immunity, and mRNA. Currently, Pfizer has distributed more than 1.5 billion doses
to over 130 countries.

Moderna, also known as Spikevax, shares the same name with its US company Moderna. Its efficacy is a
close second from Pfizer, being 94.1% effective during its third clinical trial. Unlike Pfizer, this vaccine is
only recommended for people 18 years and older. Similarly, its 2-shot program is set 28 days apart.

Both Pfizer and Moderna utilize a unique method for immunization using mRNA, or messenger RNA.
Like DNA, RNA is a form of genetic material. It can be thought of as half-DNA, containing a single helix
instead of two. RNA, or ribonucleic acid, are a set of instructions that tells the body how to make
proteins.

A small piece of protein is taken from the COVID-19 virus which contains the messenger RNA needed.
Inside the body, this mRNA starts creating proteins of the pathogen. When the body’s immune system
detects this, it will recognize that these proteins are foreign. As a response, it works on providing
antibodies specifically made for that pathogen. Once it has found the right antibody, the human body has
created a cure for itself without fighting the actual virus.

Sinovac, otherwise known as Coronavac, is one of China’s 3 vaccines being used in the world. Produced
by Sinovac Biotech, this vaccine showed 51% efficacy results. It requires two doses 2-4 weeks apart, and
remains recommended for people 18 years above.
Sinopharm is comprised of China’s two other vaccine products, Beijing (BBIBP) and Wuhan’s (WIBP)
Institute of Biological Products respectively. Beijing’s vaccine reported 78.1% efficacy, while Wuhan
demonstrated 72.8% efficacy on their third clinical trial. Both vaccines follow the same 2-dose program,
separated by 21 days, or weeks apart.
It is important to know, however, that Wuhan’s Sinopharm (WIBP) specifically has not yet been
authorized by the Food and Drug Administration, nor the World Health Organization.
All three vaccines use the inactivated virus method. This is the typical method, and it is often seen in flu
or polio vaccines. It makes use of the whole virus in a harmless form. For this method, the virus is
cultured in special laboratory facilities. They are then “inactivated” or killed using chemicals, heat, or
radiation. Once the vaccine is injected into the body, its immune system will recognize the virus and start
making steps to create an antibody. Meanwhile, the inactivated virus remains dead and is not threatening
to the body.
Oxford Uni-AstraZeneca, is a vaccine produced by the company of the same name, along with the
University of Oxford. It has a 2-dose program between 8-12 weeks. According to clinical trials, its
efficacy of 63%-93% increases with longer dose intervals – the longer time it takes between taking the
first dose and receiving the next.
AstraZeneca makes use of a viral vector, which is similar to the inactive virus method. Instead of killing
the virus, its proteins are inserted inside a harmless host cell. This “safe virus” acts as a bridge – an access
point between the protein and the body’s immune system. The host cell will enter a normal cell from the
body and take it over as a virus usually does. Then, it will start making antigens of the virus, which the
body notices, and activates a safe immune response.
Unlike Pfizer and Moderna, these vaccines can be conveniently stored in a regular fridge. Usually around
2-8°C.
Johnson and Johnson, J&J for short, is a vaccine made in the US by Janssen Pharmaceuticals. In
contrast to previously mentioned vaccines that require 2 doses, J&J is a single-shot vaccine. However, it
is recommended that a booster shot is still recommended. The vaccine uses the viral vector method and is
reported to be 66.9% effective in the clinical trials, remains available for people 18 and older only.
Another vaccine that utilizes the viral vector is Russia’s Sputnik V, from the Gamaleya National Center
of Epidemiology and Microbiology. It is known to be the first COVID-19 vaccine in the world to be
authorized and approved to be used by over 70 countries in the world. On the third clinical trial it
recorded 91.6% efficacy and is advised for 18 years and older. Furthermore, it uses the same viral vector
method with Johnson & Johnson. Along with its single-dose counterpart, Sputnik Light, they use an
engineered adenovirus. These are groups of viruses that cause cold-like systems, and have been modified
to be harmless. Both vaccines can also be stored in regular fridge temperature.
Last, but not the least, is India’s first domestic vaccine Covaxin by Bharat Biotech. According to clinical
trials it has shown 77.8% efficacy, and uses the inactivated virus method. It requires 2 shots between 28
days, and can be stored in regular fridge temperature as well.

WHAT ARE THE SIDE EFFECTS?

All of these vaccines include common side-effects. The ones reported most often were effects on the
injection site. Pain, swelling, redness, and itching, accompanied with general tiredness or headaches.
Fever, nausea, vomiting are also possible side effects, however uncommon. It is advisable to take
painkillers such as paracetamol after vaccination.
On other times, people reported particular reactions to the vaccine. Such effects included myocarditis and
pericarditis, the inflammation of the heart, in Pfizer injections. Others reported thrombosis, or the clotting
of blood, in AstraZeneca injections. However, these cases are rare, and those affected responded well to
medicine. The only exception is that pregnant women and those who are allergic to the vaccine’s
ingredients cannot take the immunization.

WHY IS THIS IMPORTANT?

A study conducted reports that a mere 3/10 adult Filipinos are confident in receiving the vaccines. The
reasons for those who are uncertain included fear of death, or not trusting the vaccine. Others claim they
are not sick and do not need it.
The purpose of the vaccine is not only to keep an individual safe from disease, but to keep the community
safe through herd immunity. There are others who simply cannot take the vaccine due to allergic reactions
or comorbidities – underlying medical conditions. By surrounding them within a vaccinated community,
the higher the chance they are being safe from the disease.
Understanding these vaccines can help discern fake news and false information. By having the right
knowledge, we can help correct any misconceptions and spread awareness. The better-informed people
are, the better decisions they can make that will help in ending the pandemic.

REFERENCES

https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-china-55212787

https://www.bharatbiotech.com/covaxin.html

https://www.bharatbiotech.com/images/covaxin/covaxin-factsheet.pdf

https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/vac-gen/imz-basics.htm

https://www.who.int/news-room/feature-stories/detail/the-j-j-covid-19-vaccine-what-you-need-to-
know

https://www.cnnphilippines.com/world/2021/10/17/Johnson-and-Johnson-vaccine-protection.html

https://news.abs-cbn.com/spotlight/12/30/20/confused-between-sinovac-and-sinopharm-what-to-
know-about-their-covid-19-vaccines

https://www.wsj.com/articles/pfizer-biontech-covid-19-vaccine-is-worlds-preferred-shot-11633950181

https://www.rappler.com/nation/top-covid-19-vaccines-preferred-by-adult-filipinos-sws-survey-may-
2021

https://medlineplus.gov/genetics/understanding/therapy/mrnavaccines/

https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/downloads/vaccines/COVID-19-mRNA-
infographic_G_508.pdf

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8379816/

https://www.fda.gov.ph/list-of-fda-issued-emergency-use-authorization/
https://abcnews.go.com/US/jj-vaccine-doses-start-fauci/story?id=80620642

https://www.rappler.com/nation/filipinos-willingness-get-vaccinated-covid-19-sws-survey-may-2021