Doctors hear this often, “Which COVID-19 vaccine is best?” The truth is there really is not a vaccine that is better or worse than the others, but there are some minor differences.
Even so, most will not have a choice between different vaccines because most locations only have one type available.
“There are some differences between the types of COVID-19 vaccines currently available,” said Meranda Eggebrecht, nurse and clinical quality nurse specialist with Marshfield Clinic Health System. “However, we would recommend any of these vaccines to anyone that walked through our doors.”
Below is a recap of the differences and similarities of the vaccines and a resource to help you compare them.
Protection against hospitalization and death
Research has shown each COVID-19 vaccine provides 100% protection from hospitalization or death. This is the most important measure for a vaccine.
“The vaccines were developed to reduce the number of people that died from the virus,” Eggebrecht said. “It is exciting to see that all three vaccines do this at a high level.”
You may have seen that the Janssen (Johnson & Johnson) COVID-19 vaccine has a 66% efficacy against symptomatic COVID-19, while Pfizer-BioNTech has a 95% efficacy and Moderna a 94% efficacy. While this may seem like a big deal, you should not compare these results to one another. Researchers conducted the clinical trials for each vaccine:
- During different time periods;
- With different groups of people; and
- With variant COVID-19 viruses present for only some trials.
Independent experts on the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices believe the level of protection the vaccines provide does not represent an important difference between the vaccines.
COVID-19 vaccine differences on doses
The Janssen (Johnson & Johnson) COVID-19 vaccine is given as a single dose, while both the Moderna and Pfizer-BioNTech vaccines are given in two doses.
You should receive the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine four weeks (28 days) apart and the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine three weeks (21 days) apart.
All COVID-19 vaccines are safe
Each of the COVID-19 vaccines are safe and no link is present to any serious health problems.
Common side effects from the vaccines include pain at the injection site, fatigue, headache, chills and muscle aches. These side effects are mild to moderate in most people and typically resolve after 1-2 days. These side effects occur because the immune system is responding normally to the vaccine.
Independent experts recommend each vaccine
Independent experts on the CDC’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices reviewed and recommended each vaccine. The independent experts did this in an open and thorough way so everyone could review the same information. If you would like to review that same information, go here.
These experts, along with thousands of other doctors, epidemiologists and other experts from around the world, believe you should take any COVID-19 vaccine that is available when it is your turn to be vaccinated.
To see if you are eligible for the COVID-19 vaccine in Wisconsin, go to marshfieldclinic.org/CovidVaccine.
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Per my doctor, I need to get the Johnson and Johnson vaccine due to allergies to several medications which caused bad allergic reactions. I do not know where to find that vaccine. Is there a list somewhere for people like me that has to have only Johnson and Johnson vaccine? I need the vaccine as I am over 75. Please help me with this situation. Thank you.
Hi Judy,
We reached out to our COVID vaccination planning team regarding your question and here was what they said.
At this time, Marshfield Clinic is not receiving any Janssen (Johnson and Johnson) vaccine products. COVID vaccinators receive notifications each week from the state (usually every Tuesday). My recommendation is that you try to contact providers in your area that are approved vaccinators weekly on Wednesday to determine if anyone will be receiving the Janssen product. Marshfield Clinic has both Pfizer and Moderna at this time.
Visit the State of Wisconsin website to determine other vaccinators in your area: https://www.dhs.wisconsin.gov/covid-19/vaccine-map.htm
The State of Wisconsin recently launched a COVID-19 Vaccine Assistance Hotline: You can call 1-844-684-1064 for assistance.
To be considered for a vaccination at Marshfield Clinic, you should complete the survey to be added to our waiting list. Please visit marshfieldclinic.org/covidvaccine to sign-up to be added to our waitlist. When vaccine becomes available, you may inquire whether Janssen is available at that time.
Hope that helps,
Jake
We are waiting for the Johnson and Johnson vaccine and would like to be on the list when it is available in Wisconsin Rapids. Thank you.
Hi Madeline,
We reached out to our COVID vaccination planning team regarding your comment and here was what they said.
To be considered for a vaccination at Marshfield Clinic, you should complete the survey to be added to our waiting list. Please visit marshfieldclinic.org/covidvaccine to sign-up to be added to our waitlist. When vaccine becomes available, you may inquire whether Janssen (Johnson and Johnson) is available at that time. At this time, Marshfield Clinic is not receiving any Janssen vaccine products.
COVID vaccinators receive notifications each week from the state (usually every Tuesday). My recommendation is that you try to contact providers in your area that are approved vaccinators weekly on Wednesday to determine if anyone will be receiving the Janssen product. Marshfield Clinic has both Pfizer and Moderna at this time.
Visit the State of Wisconsin website to determine vaccinators in your area: https://www.dhs.wisconsin.gov/covid-19/vaccine-map.htm
The State of Wisconsin recently launched a COVID-19 Vaccine Assistance Hotline: You can call 1-844-684-1064 for assistance.
Hope that helps,
Jake