Comparing the differences between COVID-19 vaccines By Mayo Clinic Staff August 16, 2023 See the different COVID-19 vaccines: Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine Moderna vaccine Novavax COVID-19, adjuvanted vaccine Type Type PfizerType mRNA vaccine Moderna Type mRNA vaccine Novavax Type Protein subunit vaccine Effectiveness, original strain Effectiveness, original strain Pfizer Effectiveness, original strain 91% effective at preventing severe illness with the original strain of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) virus in people age 16 and older. Greater than 89% effective in preventing people with health conditions, such as diabetes or obesity, from developing the COVID-19 virus with symptoms. 100% effective at preventing the COVID-19 virus in children ages 12 through 15. 91% effective in preventing the COVID-19 virus in children ages 5 through 11. Protection appears to fade over time. Moderna Effectiveness, original strain 94% effective at preventing the COVID-19 virus with symptoms. Greater than 90% effective in preventing people with health conditions, such as diabetes or obesity, from developing the COVID-19 virus with symptoms. Novavax Effectiveness, original strain 90% effective at preventing mild, moderate and severe illness with the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) virus in people age 18 and older. 79% effective in people age 65 and older. Effectiveness, omicron strain Effectiveness, omicron strain Pfizer Effectiveness, omicron strain 64% to 68% effective at preventing hospitalization among adults with typical immune systems within two months of vaccination based on U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates. 43% effective at preventing hospitalization among adults with weakened immune systems within four months of vaccination based on CDC estimates. Moderna Effectiveness, omicron strain 64% to 68% effective at preventing hospitalization among adults with typical immune systems within two months of vaccination based on U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates. 43% effective at preventing hospitalization among adults with weakened immune systems within four months of vaccination based on CDC estimates. Novavax Effectiveness, omicron strain Appears to protect against severe COVID-19 due to COVID-19 variants Doses Doses Pfizer Doses Three doses are needed for unvaccinated children with typical immune systems ages 6 months through 4 years. The second shot is scheduled at least 3 to 8 weeks after the first. The third shot is given at least eight weeks after the second shot. One dose is needed for people age 5 and older who have a typical immune system. People age 65 and older and people of any age with weakened immune systems may get additional doses of the vaccine. This helps improve protection against the COVID-19 virus. Additional doses for people age 65 and older are suggested four months or longer after the last dose. Three doses are suggested for unvaccinated children ages 6 months through 4 years with weakened immune systems. The second dose is scheduled at least three weeks after the first shot. The third shot is scheduled at least eight weeks after that. Three doses for unvaccinated people 5 years and older with weakened immune systems. The second dose is scheduled at least three weeks after the first shot. The third shot is scheduled at least four weeks after that. Additional doses may be recommended two months after the last dose, or as suggested by a healthcare professional. Moderna Doses Two doses for unvaccinated children with typical immune systems age 6 months through 5 years. The second shot is scheduled 4 to 8 weeks after the first shot. One dose for people age 6 and older who have typical immune systems. People age 65 and older and people of any age with weakened immune systems may get additional doses of the vaccine. This helps improve protection against the COVID-19 virus. Additional doses for people age 65 and older are suggested four months or longer after a person's last dose. Three doses for unvaccinated people age 6 months and older with weakened immune systems. The second dose is recommended at least four weeks after the first shot. The third dose is recommended at least four weeks after the second shot. Additional doses may be recommended two months after the third shot, or as suggested by a healthcare professional. Novavax Doses Two doses are needed for age 12 and older, 3 to 8 weeks apart in the U.S. One dose of an mRNA vaccine is recommended at least two months after the second Novavax shot. People 18 and older who don't get the mRNA vaccine booster may get a Novavax booster six months after their last shot. People age 65 and older and people age 12 years and older with weakened immune systems who chose Novavax for vaccination can get an additional shot of either the Pfizer-BioNTech or Moderna COVID-19 vaccines at least four months after the first dose of the mRNA vaccine that they received. Additional doses may be recommended two months after the third shot, or as suggested by a healthcare professional. Side effects Side effects Pfizer Side effects Injection site pain, fatigue, headache, muscle pain, chills, joint pain, fever, nausea, feeling unwell and swollen lymph nodes. Rarely, some people have had heart problems after getting an mRNA COVID-19 vaccine. Seek medical care if you have chest pain, shortness of breath or feelings of having a fast-beating, fluttering or pounding heart within a week of getting the vaccine. Moderna Side effects Injection site pain, fatigue, headache, muscle pain, chills, joint pain, fever, nausea, feeling unwell and swollen lymph nodes. Rarely, some people have had heart problems after getting an mRNA COVID-19 vaccine. Seek medical care if you have chest pain, shortness of breath, or feelings of having a fast-beating, fluttering or pounding heart within a week of getting the vaccine. Novavax Side effects Injection site pain, fatigue, headache, muscle pain, chills, joint pain, fever, nausea, feeling unwell and swollen lymph nodes. Rarely, some people have had heart problems after getting a Novavax COVID-19 vaccine. Seek medical care if you have chest pain, shortness of breath or feelings of having a fast-beating, fluttering or pounding heart within a week of getting the vaccine. Ingredients Ingredients Pfizer Ingredients Doesn't contain eggs, preservatives or latex in the vial stoppers. Moderna Ingredients Doesn't contain eggs, preservatives or latex in the vial stoppers. Novavax Ingredients Doesn't contain eggs, preservatives or latex in the vial stoppers. Approval, authorization and safety Approval, authorization and safety Pfizer Approval, authorization and safety U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval for people age 12 and older for Pfizer BioNTech, now called Comirnaty. FDA emergency use authorization for people ages 6 months through 11 years. Safety closely monitored by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and FDA. Moderna Approval, authorization and safety FDA approval for people 18 and older for Moderna COVID-19 vaccine, now called Spikevax. FDA emergency use authorization for children ages 6 months through 17 years. Safety closely monitored by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and FDA. Novavax Approval, authorization and safety FDA emergency use authorization for people age 12 and older. Safety closely monitored by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and FDA. Eligibility Eligibility Pfizer Eligibility People age 6 months and older can get the vaccine. People who've had an immediate or severe allergic reaction to any of the vaccine's ingredients or after a prior dose of the vaccine and people who are allergic to polysorbate shouldn't get the vaccine. People who've had an immediate allergic reaction to any vaccine or injectable medication should be cautious about getting the vaccine. People with a history of myocarditis, pericarditis or multisystem inflammatory syndrome also should be cautious about getting the vaccine. Moderna Eligibility People age 6 months and older can get the vaccine. People who've had an immediate or severe allergic reaction to any of the vaccine's ingredients or after a prior dose of the vaccine and people who are allergic to polysorbate shouldn't get the vaccine. People who've had an immediate allergic reaction to any vaccine or injectable medication should be cautious about getting the vaccine. Novavax Eligibility People age 12 and older can get the vaccine. People who've had an immediate allergic reaction to any vaccine or injectable medication should be cautious about getting the vaccine. Cost Cost Pfizer Cost Free in the U.S. Moderna Cost Free in the U.S. Novavax Cost Free in the U.S. Existing health conditions Existing health conditions Pfizer Existing health conditions You can get a vaccine if you have an existing health condition, or if you're pregnant or breastfeeding. If you have existing health conditions, take medications, or you're pregnant, and you have questions about the vaccine, talk to your healthcare team. If you have any other questions or concerns about getting the COVID-19 vaccine, talk to your healthcare team. Moderna Existing health conditions You can get a vaccine if you have an existing health condition, or if you're pregnant or breastfeeding. If you have existing health conditions, take medications, or you're pregnant, and you have questions about the vaccine, talk to your healthcare team. If you have any other questions or concerns about getting the COVID-19 vaccine, talk to your healthcare team. Novavax Existing health conditions You can get a vaccine if you have an existing health condition, or if you're pregnant or breastfeeding. If you have existing health conditions, take medications, or you're pregnant, and you have questions about the vaccine, talk to your healthcare team. If you have any other questions or concerns about getting the COVID-19 vaccine, talk to your healthcare team. Show references Vaccines and related biological products advisory committee meeting. U.S. Food and Drug Administration. https://www.fda.gov/media/144245/download. Accessed July 20, 2023. Interim clinical considerations for use of mRNA COVID-19 vaccines currently authorized in the United States. 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