New Study Finds Moderna COVID-19 Vaccine Has Lower Risk of Adverse Events Than Pfizer-BioNTech Vaccine
A recent study published in JAMA Network Open has revealed that the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine, known as mRNA-1273, has a lower risk of adverse events compared to the BioNTech and Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine, known as BNT162b2. This finding has sparked interest among experts, who believe that the Moderna vaccine’s better protection against COVID-19 could be the reason behind its superior safety profile.
The study, which analyzed data from December 2020 to July 2021, included a 28-day follow-up after vaccination. Researchers utilized a database of community pharmacies, representing more than 50% of the US Medicare population. The study specifically focused on individuals aged 66 years or older who received either the Moderna or Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine as their first COVID-19 vaccine.
The findings of the study highlighted that the risk of adverse events was low for both vaccine groups. However, the Moderna vaccine was associated with a lower risk of pulmonary embolism and other adverse events in subgroup analyses. It also demonstrated a lower risk of COVID-19 diagnosis, although this was partially affected by the level of frailty in individuals.
Nevertheless, the researchers emphasized the need for further research to formally establish the differences in safety and efficacy between the two vaccines. They also stressed the importance of investigating how the performance of these vaccines could be affected by immunocompromised individuals.
The study identified 12 serious adverse events that were potentially linked to mRNA vaccines, including acute myocardial infarction, facial nerve palsy, and pulmonary embolism. Additionally, frailty was measured using a claims-based frailty index, and the risk of COVID-19 was considered as a secondary outcome.
It is essential to note that this study solely focused on the first vaccination and did not determine whether the differences in adverse events were due to safety or efficacy. Therefore, the researchers recommended future research to compare subsequent vaccinations to gain a more comprehensive understanding.
Overall, these findings provide valuable insights regarding the safety profiles of the Moderna and Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccines. The study’s conclusions could potentially inform the decision-making process for individuals considering vaccination and aid healthcare providers in guiding their patients towards the most suitable option.
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