The Covid-19 pandemic has claimed millions of lives and disrupted the world economy.
Today, many drugmakers, scientists, pharmaceutical packaging manufacturers, and governments are striving to develop the vaccine to protect the people and prevent the spread of the deadly virus.
Fortunately, quite a number of Covid-19 vaccines are rolling out quickly. Here’s what you need to understand about the various types of coronavirus vaccines.
Vaccine type
DNA: DNA plasmid encoding coronavirus spike protein delivered via electroporation
Target supply: 100 million doses in 2021
Inovio’s approach was to stimulate an immune response to protect against the Covid-19 virus. Inovio uses electroporation, a small electrical pulse that opens small pores in cells, to allow DNA molecules to enter cells so they can produce coronavirus proteins.
After resolving FDA’s concerns over the device, Inovio is set to run a large efficacy trial. In June 2020, summary data from a small Phase 1 trial were disclosed by the company highlighted the safety of the vaccine but also recorded weaker spurred immune responses than that of Moderna and Pfizer.
Since then, Inovio has boosted its supply line and there are possibilities of them manufacturing a stronger covid-19 vaccine.
Vaccine type
Messenger RNA: Genetic instructions for the coronavirus spike protein are encoded in mRNA, delivered via lipid nanoparticle
Target supply: With Lonza, 700 million to 1 billion doses in 2021
Moderna’s idea of using RNA technology to build the coronavirus vaccine has turned out to be a dramatic achievement. RNA technology is a drug-making approach to making proteins – it uses genetic instructions to teach cells to make proteins.
After going through three different phases within just three months, Moderna covid-19 vaccine delivered strongly positive results – we’re talking about 94% effectiveness.
The finding was almost similar to other top covid-19 vaccines by BioNTech and Pfizer, which showed 95% effectiveness in preventing covid-19.
Vaccine type
Non-replicating viral vector: DNA sequence for coronavirus spike protein delivered via adenovirus type 26 vector
Target supply: 1 billion doses globally
A data from January 2021 reveals that a single dose of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine was 66% effective in preventing severe or moderate COVID-19.
Vaccine type
Inactivated virus: SARS-CoV-2 is isolated, expanded and then made uninfectious via chemical treatment
Target supply: 100 million doses annually
Sinovac applies the inactivated virus approach that is used for influenza, rabies, and hepatitis A.
The overall efficacy was a little over 50% and was good enough to gain conditional approval for emergency use in nearly 20 countries, including China, Chile, Indonesia, Turkey, and Brazil.
Vaccine type
Messenger RNA: Genetic instructions for the coronavirus spike protein are encoded in mRNA, delivered via lipid nanoparticle
Target supply: Up to 2 billion doses in 2021
Alongside Moderna, Pfizer is another company that uses messenger RNA technology. Although early tests in 2020 showed commanding results with 95% efficacy in preventing covid-19, yet, there were concerns over fever, fatigue, and injection site pain.
Fast forward to 2021, the United Kingdom, Canada, China, Russia, Israel, and South Africa, have authorized this vaccine.
Vaccine type
Non-replicating viral vector: DNA sequence for coronavirus spike protein delivered via chimpanzee viral vector
Target supply: With partners, 2 billion doses
Made in Britain, AstraZeneca boasts an efficacy estimate of about 76% based on an analysis of 190 COVID-19 cases.
Vaccine type
Inactivated virus: SARS-CoV-2 is isolated, expanded and then made uninfectious via chemical treatment
Data released from December 31st indicates that the Beijing Institute’s shot’s efficacy is 79%. The vaccine is now authorized in 27 countries and according to China’s health ministry, millions of doses have already been used to vaccinate healthcare workers as well as those who work overseas under an emergency use program.
Vaccine type
Protein-based: Coronavirus-derived protein produced in insect cell lines, extracted and delivered alongside an adjuvant
Target supply: 1 billion doses by mid-2021
Last April, Sanofi partnered with GlaxoSmithKline to create a protein-based vaccine to boost adjuvants, both of which have previously been used to fight influenza.
In March, Sanofi began testing an mRNA vaccine, starting a Phase 1/2 trial that is expected to deliver results by the 3rd quarter this year.
Vaccine type
Protein-based: Coronavirus-derived protein produced in insect cell lines, extracted and delivered alongside an adjuvant
Target supply: 2 billion doses globally beginning in 2021
Novavax indicated 96% efficacy against the original covid-19 strain, and 86% efficacy against a variant first identified in the United Kingdom.
Vaccine type
Non-replicating viral vector: DNA sequence for coronavirus spike protein delivered via adenovirus type 5 and type 26 vectors
Target supply: 200 million doses by yearend
Gamaleya calculated over 91% efficacy against covid-19.
Vaccine type
Messenger RNA: Genetic instructions for the coronavirus spike protein are encoded in mRNA, delivered via lipid nanoparticle
Target supply: 300 million doses in 2021, 600 million doses in 2022
CureVac‘s vaccine uses messenger RNA to encode the coronavirus’ spike protein.
Vaccine type
Replicating viral vector: DNA sequence for viral antigen delivered via measles (Themis) or vesicular stomatitis (IAVI) virus
Merck announced its entry into the coronavirus vaccine race by the end of May. Their decision to using replicating viral vector instead of RNA technologies coupled with the failed partnership with the University of Oxford all contributed to Merck’s slow development.
The good news is that Merck said it will channel its resources on developing two covid-19 treatments, including an antiviral drug now in mid-stage testing.
Vaccine type
Non-replicating viral vector: DNA sequence for coronavirus spike protein delivered via adenovirus type 5
CanSino were among the first companies to begin testing its vaccine in humans but they have struggled to complete the Phase 3 trial after successful Phase 1 and 2 trials.
The Chinese government was confident in CanSino’s vaccine that they recommended its vaccine to be used in soldiers last summer. But as Covid-19 cases declined in China, the developers needed a new study site to continue their research.
Efforts to settle in Canada were unsuccessful but they were able to recruit volunteers from Mexico, Russia, and Pakistan to carry out a large late-stage study.
CanSino announced on the 24th of February 2021 that, 28 days after a single shot, its vaccine was 65% effective in preventing symptomatic cases and 90% effective in preventing severe diseases.
This was enough for China’s drug regulatory to issue a conditional market authorization. Since February, Mexico, Pakistan, and Hungary have approved and authorized the vaccine.
Vaccine type
Protein-based: Coronavirus-derived protein produced in cell lines, extracted and delivered alongside an adjuvant
Target supply: Hundreds of millions of doses per year
Clover pairs protein-based vaccines with adjuvants to form compounds responsible for boosting the immune response to vaccination. The group will fund the Phase 2/3 trial to begin “at-risk” manufacture of the vaccine after extending around $100 million forgivable loans.
And as sterilization keeps playing a crucial role in preventing the transmission of the coronavirus, sterile packaging via bottle capping machine, aseptic processing machine, nested filling line, and liquid filling machine leads the charge.
The use of sterile packaging for medicines will see massive growth in the nearest future as many prominent companies are persistently manufacturing sterile medical packaging, such as wraps, containers, and pouches to protect products against unintended transmissions.
As we write, the Covid-19 is still a threat in many countries around the world. Effective vaccines not only prevent the spread of the virus but also help save many lives.
For individuals, getting vaccinated can help achieve herd immunity in the country. We hope this post gives you a clear overview of various vaccines and help you decide better.