Vaccine Types

Pfizer-BioNTech : An injection of mRNA (messenger DNA) strands that teach living cells to create disease-resistant proteins

Moderna : An injection of mRNA (messenger DNA) strands that teach living cells to create disease-resistant proteins

Johnson and Johnson’s Janssen : Viral Vector: An injection of a modified virus that causes your body to produce antibodies

Age Requirements

Pfizer-BioNTech : 5+ years old required

Moderna : 18+ years old required

Johnson and Johnson’s Janssen : 18+ years old required

Vaccine Doses

Pfizer-BioNTech : Two injections spaced three weeks apart; Considered fully vaccinated two weeks after second dose

Moderna : Two injections spaced four weeks apart; Considered fully vaccinated two weeked after second dose

Johnson and Johnson's Janssen : Singular Dose; Considered fully vaccinated after first dose

Booster Doses

Pfizer-BioNTech : After getting the Pfizer shots, you have two options: Pfizer booster shot (1 full dose) taken 5 months after 2nd original dose OR Moderna booster shot (half a dose) taken 5 months after 2nd original dose. The Pfizer booster is approved for 12 and older, while the Moderna booster with the Pfizer shots is approved for 18+.

Moderna : After getting the Moderna shots, you have two options: Pfizer booster shot (1 full dose) taken 5 months after 2nd original dose OR Moderna booster shot (half a dose) taken 5 months after 2nd original dose

Johnson and Johnson's Janssen : Pfizer booster shot (1 full dose) taken 2 months after 2nd original dose OR Moderna booster shot (half a dose) taken 2 months after 2nd original dose

Effectiveness

Pfizer-BioNTech : 97% effective against severe disease and hospitalization (even after 6 months without booster). Protection against infection dropped to roughly 75% (due to variants)

Moderna : 95+% effective against hospitalization and severe cases. 90% effective against infection. Recent research shows Moderna vaccines to be more effective against Covid-19 variants

Johnson and Johnson's Janssen : 72% overall efficiency. 84% effectiveness against severe cases. Increases to 94% effectiveness with a booster shot