A comprehensive review of SARS-CoV-2 vaccines: Pfizer, Moderna & Johnson & Johnson

Figures & data

Figure 1. Timeline of BNT162b2 vaccine development for COVID-19.^8,9

Table 1. Pfizer-BioNTech efficacy against variant of concern: Delta B.1.617.2^18,23–25.

Variant	Country	Efficacy against symptomatic Infection	Efficacy against severe or fatal infection
B.1.617.2	Qatar	53.5%	89.7%
	United Kingdom	88.0%	93.1%
	United States	75.0%	93.0%
	Israel	40.5%	91.4%

Table 2. Tolerability and systemic adverse effects experienced by Pfizer vaccine recipients after second dose^10.

	Individuals 18 to 55		Individuals 55 and older
	Mild to moderate	Severe (symptoms prevent daily activity)	Mild to moderate	Severe (symptoms prevent daily activity)
Tolerability (Local and immediate reactions)
Injection Site Pain	76.6%	1.2%	65.7%	0.5%
Erythema	5.4%	0.5%	6.8%	0.5%
Swelling	5.9%	0.3%	7.3%	0.2%
Systemic Reactions
Headache	48.5%	3.2%	38.4%	0.5%
Fatigue	54.8%	4.6%	47.7%	2.8%
Myalgia	37.3%	2.2%	27.8%	1.0%
Vomiting	1.7%	0.2%	0.6%	0.1%
Fever	30.2%	1.2%	21.5%	0.3%

Figure 2. Timeline of Moderna’s mRNA-1273 vaccine development for COVID-19.^11,27

Table 3. Tolerability and systemic adverse effects experienced by Moderna vaccine recipients after second dose^35.

	Individuals 18 to 64		Individuals 65 and older
	Mild	Severe (resulting in debilitating symptoms)	Mild	Severe (resulting in debilitating symptoms)
Tolerability (Local and immediate reactions)
Injection Site Pain	90.1%	4.6%	83.4%	2.7%
Erythema	9.0%	2.0%	7.4%	2.1%
Swelling	12.6%	1.7%	10.8%	1.9%
Systemic Reactions
Headache	62.8%	5.0%	46.4%	3.0%
Fatigue	67.6%	10.6%	58.4%	6.9%
Myalgia	61.3%	10.0%	46.9%	5.6%
Nausea	21.3%	<0.1%	11.8%	0.3%
Fever	17.4%	1.6%	10.2%	0.5%

Figure 3. Timeline of Johnson & Johnson vaccine development for COVID-19.^37,38

Table 4. Summary of key clinical trials for Pfizer, Moderna, and Johnson & Johnson SARS-CoV-2 Vaccines^9,29,38.

Key clinical trials for Pfizer, Moderna, and Johnson & Johnson vaccine candidates
Pfizer–BioNTech mRNA COVID-19 Vaccine BNT162b2	Phase 3 trial began July 27, 2020, with over 43,000 participants and concludes November 18, 2020. Results show 95.0% efficacy against serious COVID-19 infection, defined as requiring hospitalization. FDA approved Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) for Pfizer vaccine on December 11, 2020. Full FDA approval for vaccine in the US on August 23, 2021.
Moderna mRNA-1273 COVID-19 Vaccine	Phase 3 trial began July 2020, called the COVE study. The COVE trial showed 94.1% efficacy in protecting against symptomatic infections and showed no deviation in cohorts with risk factors for severe COVID-19 infections. FDA approves EUA for Moderna vaccine on December 18, 2020.
Johnson & Johnson Adenovirus Type 26 COVID-19 Vaccine	Ensemble Phase 3 trial began September 7, 2020, with 44,000 participants. Ensemble trial shows 66.1% protection against moderate COVID-19 infection and 85.4% protection against severe infection with no hospitalizations or deaths in participants. FDA approves EUA for Johnson & Johnson vaccine on February 27, 2021.

Table 5. Tolerability and systemic adverse effects experienced by Johnson & Johnson vaccine recipients^43.

	Individuals 18 to 59		Individuals 60 and older
	Mild	Severe (resulting in debilitating symptoms)	Mild	Severe (resulting in debilitating symptoms)
Tolerability (Local and immediate reactions)
Injection Site Pain	58.6%	0.4%	33.3%	0.2%
Erythema	9.0%	0.3%	4.6%	0.1%
Swelling	7.0%	0.2%	2.7%	0.2%
Systemic Reactions
Headache	44.4%	0.9%	30.4%	0.4%
Fatigue	43.8%	1.2%	29.7%	0.8%
Myalgia	39.1%	1.4%	24.0%	0.2%
Nausea	15.5%	0.1%	12.3%	0.2%
Fever	12.8%	0.3%	3.1%	0.1%

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