Both the Pfizer/BioNTech and Moderna vaccines use the same mRNA technology, but they have minor differences. [2] X Trustworthy Source Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Main public health institute for the US, run by the Dept. of Health and Human Services Go to source For instance, the Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine is approved for people aged 16 and older, is 95% effective at preventing COVID-19 infection, and requires 2 shots delivered 21 days apart. The Moderna vaccine is approved for people aged 18 and older, is 94. 1% effective, and requires 2 shots delivered 28 days apart. [3] X Research source

During the trials, negative side effects are also studied. The FDA won’t approve a vaccine that isn’t safe for the public. [6] X Trustworthy Source Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Main public health institute for the US, run by the Dept. of Health and Human Services Go to source

Some vaccines for other diseases, such as measles, mumps, and rubella, do use a weakened or dead strain of the live virus;[8] X Trustworthy Source MedlinePlus Collection of medical information sourced from the US National Library of Medicine Go to source none of the current COVID-19 vaccines do.

In fact, during the Pfizer vaccine trials, 23 women volunteers became pregnant. Only one woman suffered a pregnancy loss, but she was actually given the placebo, which means she hadn’t received the COVID-19 vaccine. [10] X Trustworthy Source Johns Hopkins Medicine Official resource database of the world-leading Johns Hopkins Hospital Go to source

Scientists won’t know exactly how immunity produced by the vaccine lasts until we have more data and info about it. [12] X Trustworthy Source Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Main public health institute for the US, run by the Dept. of Health and Human Services Go to source

Though scientists aren’t exactly sure, an allergic reaction may be caused by the vaccine antigen, residual animal protein, antimicrobial agents, preservatives, stabilizers, or other vaccine components. [16] X Research source

While current vaccines may be effective against the new strains of the virus, vaccine manufacturers are looking into creating a booster shot that will help protect against them even more. [20] X Trustworthy Source Mayo Clinic Educational website from one of the world’s leading hospitals Go to source

More research is needed to figure out how long immunity from a vaccine lasts. Current evidence suggests that immunity from the virus itself only lasts about 90 days. [22] X Trustworthy Source Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Main public health institute for the US, run by the Dept. of Health and Human Services Go to source