Diferentes tipos de vacunas contra la COVID-19: cómo funcionan
Conoce cómo las diferentes tecnologías de vacunas trabajan con el sistema inmunitario para brindar protección.
Escrito por el personal de Mayo Clinic
Las vacunas contra la COVID-19 reducen el riesgo de enfermarse, enfermarse gravemente o morir por la enfermedad. Pero ¿cómo funcionan los distintos tipos de vacunas contra la COVID-19?
Cada vacuna contra la COVID-19 hace que el sistema inmunitario cree proteínas llamadas anticuerpos. Estas proteínas combaten la infección con el virus de la COVID-19. Las vacunas contra la COVID-19 utilizan una versión inofensiva de una estructura con forma de puntas, llamada proteína de la espícula, en la superficie del virus de la COVID-19.
Hay pocos tipos principales de vacunas contra la COVID-19.
Vacuna de ARN mensajero (ARNm)
Vacuna de ARNm
Vacuna de ARNm
La vacuna de ARN mensajero les da instrucciones a las células sobre cómo producir la proteína de la espícula que se encuentra en la superficie del virus de la COVID-19. Después de la vacunación, las células musculares del cuerpo comienzan a producir los componentes de la proteína y a ubicarlas en la superficie de las células. Esto causa que el cuerpo cree anticuerpos. Luego, si te contagias con el virus de la COVID-19, estos anticuerpos se usan para ayudar a eliminar el virus.
Una vez formados los componentes de la proteína, las células descomponen las instrucciones y las desechan. El ARNm de la vacuna no entra en el núcleo de la célula, donde se guarda el ADN. Tanto la vacuna contra la COVID-19 de Pfizer-BioNTech como la de Moderna utilizan ARNm.
Vector vaccine
Vacuna de vector viral
Vacuna de vector viral
In this type of vaccine, material from the virus that causes COVID-19 is placed in a modified version of a different virus. This different virus is called a viral vector. The viral vector gives cells instructions to make copies of the COVID-19 virus S protein.
Once the cells display the S proteins on their surfaces, the immune system responds by creating antibodies and defensive white blood cells. If infection with the virus that causes COVID-19 happens later, the antibodies help clear out the virus.
Viral vector vaccines can't cause infection with the COVID-19 virus or the viral vector virus. The Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine is a vector vaccine that's no longer used in the United States.
Protein subunit vaccine
Vacuna de subunidades proteicas
Vacuna de subunidades proteicas
Vacuna de subunidades proteicas
Subunit vaccines include only the parts of a virus that best stimulate the immune system. This type of COVID-19 vaccine has harmless S proteins in it. Once the immune system recognizes the S proteins, it creates antibodies and defensive white blood cells. If infection with the COVID-19 virus happens later, the antibodies help clear out the virus.
The Novavax COVID-19 vaccine is a protein subunit vaccine.
COVID-19 vaccines
The COVID-19 vaccines available in the United States are:
- Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine 2024-2025 formula, available for people age 6 months and older.
- Moderna COVID-19 vaccine 2024-2025 formula, available for people age 6 months and older.
- Novavax COVID-19 vaccine, adjuvanted 2024-2025 formula, available for people age 12 years and older.
Getting vaccinations as they are updated and on schedule gives you the best protection against COVID-19.
May 24, 2025
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