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editorial
. 2021 Feb 15;55(1):3–6.

Table 1.

Comparison of currently approved COVID-19 mRNA vaccines

 

Pfizer-BioNTech

Moderna

Health Canada approval

December 9, 2020

December 23, 2020

Population

Ages 16+

Ages 18+

Dose

30 mcg of mRNA per 0.3 mL

(after dilution)

100 mcg of mRNA per 0.5 mL (no dilution)

Schedule

2 doses, 21 days apart

2 doses, 28 days apart

Route of administration

IM (deltoid)

IM (deltoid)

Storage temperature

–70° Celsius

–20° Celsius

Efficacy

95%

94.1%

Number of participants in Phase 3 trial

44,000 total

(22,000 vaccine/22,000 placebo)

30,413 total

(15,206 vaccine/15,207 placebo)

Side effects

Mild to moderate flu-like symptoms lasted ~2 days (more commonly after the 2nd dose)

Mild to moderate flu-like symptoms lasted ~2 days (more commonly after the 2nd dose)

Contraindications

Pregnant women; COVID-positive;

previous anaphylaxis; allergy to ingredients; immunocompromised; precautions for those with bleeding disorders or on anticoagulant therapy.

Pregnant women; COVID-positive;

previous anaphylaxis; allergy to ingredients; immunocompromised; precautions for those with bleeding disorders or on anticoagulant therapy.

Source: National Advisory Committee on Immunization webinars (https://www.canada.ca/en/public-health/services/diseases/2019-novel-coronavirus-infection/ health-professionals.html#a11)