A Pseudo-'Which Report' on Covid-19 Vaccines

Details of the first three reputable Covid-19 vaccines are now available for comparison. All 3, can achieve 90% or better protection (in the case of the Oxford/AstraZeneca vaccine, after a half dose, followed by a full dose) and all are given by intramuscular injections. All appear active in all age groups, including older cohorts who have less vigorous immune systems (and are more likely to be seriously endangered by a Covid-19 infection). Side-effects seem pretty minimal for all 3 vaccines, being mainly limited to sore arms, occasional headaches and fatigue. Obviously, we have no idea, at present, how long protection lasts and only patchy information about whether the vaccines can prevent asymptomatic transmission of the virus is available. The Pfizer/BioNTech and Moderna vaccines are both based on novel synthetic mRNA technology. This short-lasting molecule (it's rapidly broken down by enzymes in our bodies) is delivered using lipid (fatty) nanoparticles and causes the cells to produce the harmless spike proteins found on the coronavirus (the spike proteins help the virus enter the cell but do not cause disease). The cells then, produce antibodies to these. The Oxford/AstraZeneca vaccine is produced in a more traditional (but still innovative) fashion, by loading a non-replicating version of a Chimpanzee cold virus with genes for Covid-19 spike protein production. Antibodies are again produced in response to the manufactured spike protein. Both the Oxford/AstraZeneca and the Moderna vaccines are stable in standard refrigerators (between 2 and 8 degrees Celsius) for at least a month, whereas the Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine requires storage (prior to use) down to between -70 and -80 degrees. That will make the Pfizer/BioNTech more difficult to distribute. It is unclear how many shots of the vaccine will be needed but it is likely to be 2, in the case of the Oxford/AstraZeneca vaccine. In terms of cost, Oxford/AstraZeneca; Pfizer/BioNTech and Moderna vaccines come in at $3-4, $20 and $25 per shot. Of course, we won't get choices over which vaccine, we are eventually offered. I personally hope uptake is good, in spite of unhelpful antivaxx messages and natural human caution. I would like to 'see the back' of Covid-19 (which would mean eliminating it from all world populations). This exercise does, however, make a (less-pleasurable?) change from comparing champaignes from different supermarkets!