Top 5 Fastest COVID-19 Vaccines Worldwide

1. Pfizer–BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine

This vaccine was initially developed by a German company (BioNTech), later collaborating with Fosun (China) and Pfizer (USA) for clinical trials, transportation, and production. Clinical trials began in April 2020 with over 40,000 volunteers participating in three phases. Preliminary analysis indicates an effectiveness of up to 90% in preventing infection within 7 days after the second dose. It was the first emergency and widespread use approved vaccine. In December 2020, the UK granted the first authorization, followed by the USA, the European Union, and several other countries. Some reported side effects of the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine include pain at the injection site, fatigue, headache, muscle pain, chills, joint pain, fever, swollen and red injection site, nausea, feeling unwell, and lymph node swelling. Allergic reactions may also occur within minutes to an hour after vaccination. According to the latest information from the Ministry of Health, Vietnam is expected to receive around 31 million doses of Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine in the third and fourth quarters of 2021.

2. Johnson & Johnson (J&J) Vaccine

The Johnson & Johnson vaccine is manufactured by Janssen, a subsidiary of Johnson & Johnson, and it is a viral vector vaccine. It is not recommended to receive the J&J vaccine if there has been a severe allergic reaction (anaphylaxis). Similar to the Moderna vaccine, the U.S. is investigating potential signs of blood clots after vaccination. Additionally, a few cases of fainting (usually not serious) have been reported. The J&J vaccine has an efficacy of 66.3% in clinical trials after 2 weeks of vaccination for individuals not previously infected (single-dose). It also demonstrates high effectiveness in preventing severe conditions in individuals who have had the disease.

3. Moderna COVID-19 Vaccine

The Moderna vaccine, developed by a U.S. company, is currently in use in over 45 countries worldwide. Through clinical trials, Moderna vaccine has demonstrated an efficacy of up to 94%, effectively preventing COVID-19 after the second dose for individuals not previously infected. Individuals with pre-existing conditions also experience high efficacy after receiving this vaccine. The side effects of the Moderna vaccine include pain, redness, and swelling at the injection site; fatigue, headache, muscle pain, chills, fever, and nausea. These effects typically begin within one or two days after vaccination. Currently, Vietnam is in negotiations with the manufacturer of this vaccine to diversify the vaccine options for the population.

Currently, this vaccine is still in the testing phase. However, it has entered the final stage with around 37,000 people from various countries participating in the trial. This vaccine holds promise as a potential candidate for widespread immunization and is effective against virus variants in South Africa, as well as potentially other strains.

Sanofi-GSK is a crucial part of the vaccination campaign in the European Union, trusted by the French President. The manufacturer is planning to produce approximately 1 billion doses annually and has signed supply agreements for the United States, Canada, and developing countries.

This vaccine is currently authorized for emergency use in the UK based on the third-phase trials in the UK and other countries. Dozens of countries are using the AstraZeneca vaccine, but the U.S. does not permit its emergency use.

Similar to the J&J vaccine, AstraZeneca has been confirmed in the U.S. to have cases of blood clotting after vaccination, specifically, a decrease in their platelet count. However, this side effect is very rare, occurring in 222 reported cases out of 34 million vaccinated across Europe and the UK, with only a few cases resulting in death.

This vaccine only requires refrigeration and has a lower cost compared to other vaccines. Vietnam is currently preparing to receive 30 million doses of the AstraZeneca vaccine after urgent negotiations and collaborations with various countries and manufacturers.