Not everyone will receive exactly the same COVID-19 vaccine. What to know

The first wave of coronavirus vaccinations is finally underway and with it comes a lot of questions. There are different types of coronavirus vaccines and when can you get one? Before vaccines began to be administered, the United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention prioritized which groups should receive first available doses of the COVID-19 vaccine (the agency continues to update its guidelines). However, states are not obliged to follow the CDC’s example and some have already started to go against the federal agency’s guidelines in favor of their own priority lists.

Regardless of who’s first in line for a coronavirus vaccine, more are on the way and with them, more questions. Who will receive these other vaccines and how long can you expect to be protected against COVID-19?

With more than a dozen COVID-19 vaccine candidates currently in final-stage clinical trials and dozens more not far away, it is now evident that not everyone in the world will receive the same vaccine. Not only are there different manufacturers – AstraZeneca, Johnson & Johnson, Norovax and so on – but each vaccine is provided and works a little differently than the others. Most COVID-19 vaccines come in the form of an injection, but some are adhesive and others can be swallowed as tablets. The vast majority require at least two doses, but some are expected to provide effective immunity after just one.

This means that it is possible that some vaccines are reserved for certain groups instead of others, based on how the drugs act in the body or how they are administered. For example, some single dose vaccines may better serve sparsely populated rural communities, while city and suburban residents who live close to more health care providers may receive vaccines that require subsequent “booster” doses.

The vast majority of coronavirus vaccines are still in development and science continues to evolve, so nothing is set in stone yet. Here, we paint an outline of what the coming vaccine scenario might look like. We will continue to update this story as new information comes to light. This article is intended to be an overview and not a source of medical advice.

Pfizer and Moderna are now available

What are they: Pfizer and Moderna vaccines are mRNA, or “genetic” vaccines, an entirely new class of drugs that are unstable at room temperature and must be kept frozen until they are dispensed.

When they are coming: Both have been authorized by the US Food and Drug Administration and are currently being administered to priority individuals as health professionals, as well as residents and employees of nursing homes.

For whom they can be better: So far, frontline staff and residents and health professionals.

Cooling: The Pfizer vaccine requires longer-term storage that is colder than in Antarctica: minus 94 degrees Fahrenheit. It can then be stored at normal refrigerator temperatures of 35 to 46 degrees Fahrenheit for up to five days. Moderna needs the temperatures that a commercial freezer could probably withstand for long-term storage: minus 4 degrees Fahrenheit. It remains in normal refrigerator temperatures (36 to 46 degrees Fahrenheit) for 30 days.

Dosage: Both vaccines require an initial injection followed by a booster injection several weeks later.

The Oxford University / AstraZeneca vaccine may be the next

What is it: Formerly a pioneer in the race for a coronavirus vaccine, the candidate developed by the University of Oxford and the Swedish-British pharmaceutical giant AstraZeneca encountered some obstacles along the way, which delayed her application for authorization.

When I arrive: The UK approved the vaccine just days before the start of 2021, but the FDA will not approve it in the United States until clinical trials are finished here, possibly in February or March.

Cooling: A standard refrigerator held: 36 to 46 degrees Fahrenheit.

Dosage: Two doses, originally one month apart. Referring to the unpublished results of the trial, however, regulators in the UK have authorized a three-month interval between doses, saying that the data supports that window as the most effective time scale.

Novavax shows promise and an advantage

What is it: The Novavax coronavirus vaccine is in the final stages of clinical testing. Although not yet in the process of being approved, this vaccine shows promise in its high efficacy and stability under regular refrigeration conditions, compared to deep freezing conditions. This could make it more practical for wider distribution.

When I arrive: Probably sometime in the first half of 2021.

Cooling: Standard refrigeration needs 39 to 46 degrees Fahrenheit.

Dosage: Two doses three weeks apart, plus an adjuvant, which is a second drug that helps the vaccine work better.

Inovio needle-free vaccine delivery

What is it: Instead of a syringe and needle, Inovio’s unique system uses an electrical pulse to deliver the vaccine to the body, where it can trigger an immune response.

When I arrive: Inovio started in the middle of clinical trials in December, so a launch in the summer of 2021 can be a realistic expectation if all goes well with the studies.

For those who can be better: Children and adults with an intense fear of needles; people in developing areas where safe needle disposal is a challenge.

Cooling: It can be kept at room temperature.

Dosage: Two doses, administered with a patch, four weeks apart.

There is no guarantee that any of the unauthorized vaccines listed above will be released by the FDA for emergency use, nor does any timeframe take into account the potential for future hindrances or delays. We will update this article as new information becomes available and continue to add more vaccines to this list as it becomes clearer when other manufacturers can apply for authorization, as well as which groups are likely to receive it.

For more information on how vaccines are developed and distributed, as well as the latest vaccine news, read our coronavirus vaccine explainer. If you have specific questions about a COVID-19 vaccine, we may already have they answered here. Want to know when you’ll get one? We are tracking priority coronavirus vaccine groups here.

The information in this article is for educational and informational purposes only and is not intended for medical or health advice. Always consult a doctor or other qualified healthcare professional regarding any questions you may have about a medical condition or health goals.