Moderna's COVID-19 Vaccine: Efficiency, Adverse Reactions, and Further Details
The Moderna COVID-19 vaccine (Spikevax) is a significant tool in the fight against the pandemic, offering strong protection against COVID-19 infection, particularly reducing severe disease, hospitalization, and death. This vaccine has been approved for use in various age groups, including children and adults.
Benefits of the Moderna Vaccine
The Moderna vaccine has shown a high efficacy rate of 94.1% against COVID-19 in clinical trials, including against severe disease. Its effectiveness has also been demonstrated in real-world scenarios, with a real-world effectiveness of 93.3%.
The vaccine is especially important for those at increased risk due to age or underlying health conditions, as it helps protect vulnerable populations and reduces the overall healthcare burden.
Potential Side Effects
Side effects of the Moderna vaccine vary by age but tend to be generally mild to moderate and transient.
- Common side effects in children (6 months to 11 years) include pain, redness, swelling at the injection site, irritability or crying (in infants), fatigue, headache, muscle or joint pain, fever, nausea/vomiting, and swollen lymph nodes in armpit or groin.
- In adolescents (12-17 years) and adults, common reactions are similar but may also include chills, body aches, headache, fatigue, and injection site pain.
There is a rare risk of serious allergic reactions (anaphylaxis) occurring shortly after vaccination. Clinics typically observe patients for 15 minutes post-vaccination to manage this risk.
An important but rare side effect is myocarditis and pericarditis, inflammation of the heart muscle or lining, primarily reported in males aged 12-24 years, usually within a week after vaccination. While most cases have been mild and resolved with treatment, some individuals experienced persistent heart inflammation or symptoms months later, with a small percentage requiring medication or rehospitalization.
Safety and Distribution
The Moderna vaccine is generally safe for children and adults, with mostly mild side effects. However, rare risks like myocarditis require monitoring and careful consideration, particularly for younger males. Vaccination decisions should weigh these factors along with individual health status and exposure risk.
In the U.S., the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) are managing the distribution of Moderna vaccines through the pharmaceutical distribution company McKesson.
Who Should Get the Vaccine
The FDA has approved Moderna’s vaccine for use in children 6 months to 11 years, primarily for those at increased risk of severe COVID-19. The CDC recommends that most children and adults receive a COVID-19 vaccine, including adults over 50 years of age, adults with comorbidities, health workers, pregnant people, individuals who are immunocompromised, and children 6 months or older.
Pregnant individuals, those planning to become pregnant, or those who are breastfeeding are advised to discuss the Moderna vaccine with their vaccine provider.
Vaccine Composition
The Moderna vaccine is a messenger RNA (mRNA) vaccine designed to protect against COVID-19. It contains ingredients such as messenger ribonucleic acid (mRNA), lipids SM-102, polyethylene glycol (PEG) 2000 dimyristoyl glycerol, and 1,2-distearoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine, cholesterol, tromethamine, tromethamine hydrochloride, acetic acid, sodium acetate, and sucrose.
Precautions and Care
Serious side effects following vaccination with the Moderna vaccine are rare. However, individuals should not receive a COVID vaccine if they have a fever on the day of their appointment. People with a history of severe allergic reactions to any component of the Moderna vaccine should not receive it.
Those who develop other side effects should speak with a pharmacist or doctor if these effects are persistent or bothersome.
Protecting Yourself Without the Vaccine
Those who do not receive a COVID-19 vaccine will be at greater risk of developing COVID-19 and experiencing its complications. They should take care to follow guidelines of wearing a face mask, practicing physical distancing, and regularly washing their hands.
[1] Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2021). COVID-19 Vaccines. [online] Available at: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/vaccines/index.html
[2] Moderna Texas Manufacturing Center. (2021). Moderna COVID-19 Vaccine EUA Fact Sheet for Recipients and Caregivers. [online] Available at: https://www.modernatx.com/sites/default/files/2021-02/mRNA-1273-EUA-Fact-Sheet-for-Recipients-and-Caregivers.pdf
[3] Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2021). Vaccine Safety. [online] Available at: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/vaccines/recommendations/pregnancy.html
[4] Food and Drug Administration. (2021). FDA Authorizes Moderna COVID-19 Vaccine for Emergency Use in Children 6 Months Through 5 Years of Age. [online] Available at: https://www.fda.gov/news-events/press-announcements/fda-authorizes-moderna-covid-19-vaccine-emergency-use-children-6-months-through-5-years-age
[5] Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2021). CDC Recommends Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna COVID-19 Booster Doses. [online] Available at: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/vaccines/booster-shot.html
Importance of Science in Health-and-Wellness
The Moderna COVID-19 vaccine is a testament to the power of science in preserving health and wellness, especially during times of pandemic. It is developed using the mRNA technology, an innovative approach to vaccine creation that has significantly impacted the fight against COVD-19.
Encouraging Immunizationsvaccines for All
Given the proven effectiveness and safety of Moderna's vaccine, it is crucial to encourage widespread immunization among eligible populations, including children and adults. This will help minimize the spread of the virus, reduce severe disease, hospitalization, and death, and subsequently ease the overall healthcare burden.
