COVID-19 Vaccine Comparison for Elderly: Moderna Slightly Outperforms Pfizer-BioNTech
A study led by Brown University researchers found that among the older adult population, the Moderna vaccine had a slightly lower risk of certain negative outcomes compared to the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine. This extensive research included over six million seniors, underscoring the need to understand how vaccines perform in real-world scenarios, while also highlighting the necessity of ongoing investigation into newer vaccines and future doses.
The research indicated that both mRNA vaccines (Moderna and Pfizer-BioNTech) pose an exceptionally low risk of adverse effects among older adults in the U.S., but Moderna’s risk was marginally lower.
The safety and effectiveness of mRNA vaccines are well-established for the general populace, but detailed information regarding older individuals or those with chronic health issues is scarcer.
Brown University led a comparative study, approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, of Moderna and Pfizer-BioNTech, revealing that for seniors, Moderna was associated with slightly fewer adverse events. Published in JAMA Network Open on August 2, the results may guide public health decisions about preferred vaccines for older or more frail subgroups.
Involving more than six million seniors with an average age of 76 years, the study looked into subtle differences in manufacturing, administration, and immune response between the two vaccines. It reaffirmed that the risk of serious adverse events was exceptionally low for both vaccines.
In their comparative analysis, the researchers noticed a 4% lower risk of pulmonary embolism and a 2% lower risk of blood clot-related issues with the Moderna vaccine. It also had a 15% lower risk of diagnosed COVID-19 compared to Pfizer-BioNTech.
The lead study author, Daniel Harris, emphasized the substantially higher risk of adverse events from natural SARS-CoV-2 infection compared to either mRNA vaccine. With over 70% of the global population now vaccinated, and the supply no longer a primary concern, there is a growing need for detailed insights into vaccine effects and safety.
While both mRNA vaccines are preferable to non-vaccination, Harris noted that the study aimed to determine if one vaccine offered better performance for seniors or those more frail. The researchers also sought to understand how vaccines function in real-world populations, focusing on older adults who may be underrepresented in clinical trials.
This research was part of the IMPACT Collaboratory, a major monitoring project for the long-term safety and efficacy of COVID-19 vaccines for Medicare beneficiaries. Real-world data allowed for analysis of potentially minimal differences in vaccine safety and effectiveness in critical clinical groups.
The team concluded that Moderna’s increased safety for certain adverse events might be linked to its better protection against COVID-19. Though unable to definitively say whether these differences were due to safety or efficacy, they recommended further research, potentially including comparisons for subsequent vaccine doses.
“You can imagine regularly updating these types of analyses as new vaccines are developed,” Harris said. “Depending on which one comes out on top, even on a very small scale, that may have big implications at the population level and render a preference for that particular vaccine.”
This work was supported by the National Institute on Aging of the National Institutes of Health and other grants, as part of a broader effort to enhance our understanding of vaccines for Alzheimer’s Disease and other dementias. Collaborators from Brown University and other entities also played significant roles in the study.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about fokus keyword Moderna
What was the main finding of the study led by Brown University regarding COVID-19 vaccines for seniors?
The study found that the Moderna vaccine was associated with a slightly lower risk of certain adverse events in older adults compared to the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine. The research involved over six million older adults and also emphasized the need for continued investigation into vaccines’ real-world performance.
Which two vaccines were compared in the study?
The comparative study conducted by researchers at Brown University focused on the two mRNA vaccines approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, specifically the Moderna and Pfizer-BioNTech vaccines.
How were the vaccines different in terms of risks for older adults?
The researchers observed that for older adults, the Moderna vaccine was associated with a 4% lower risk of pulmonary embolism and a 2% lower risk of thromboembolic events, as well as a 15% lower risk of diagnosed COVID-19, compared to the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine.
What were the researchers’ recommendations based on the findings?
The researchers emphasized the importance of understanding vaccines’ real-world performance and recommended continued research, considering subsequent vaccinations and newly developed vaccines. They also suggested that the results could guide public health decisions regarding which mRNA vaccine might be preferred for older and more frail subgroups.
Was the Moderna vaccine found to be completely safe for older adults?
While the Moderna vaccine was associated with slightly lower risks of certain adverse events, the study confirmed that the risk of serious adverse events for older adults in both vaccine groups was very low. The study was not designed to declare one vaccine completely safe, but rather to compare their relative risks and benefits.
What was the size of the population studied, and what was their average age?
The study involved more than six million older adults, with an average age of 76 years, who received one of the two COVID-19 mRNA vaccines, Moderna and Pfizer-BioNTech.
How might the study’s results affect vaccination choices for older adults?
The study’s findings might help public health experts weigh which mRNA vaccine might be preferred for older adults, especially those with increased frailty, by providing information on subtle differences in safety and effectiveness between the vaccines.
More about fokus keyword Moderna
- Brown University
- JAMA Network Open
- U.S. Food and Drug Administration
- IMPACT Collaboratory
- National Institute on Aging of the National Institutes of Health
6 comments
The research from Brown University seems solid. It’s always essential to understand how vaccines perform for diff age groups, not just the general population.
This is really fascinating news. So Moderna’s better for older folks? Makes you wonder what other differences might be there between the vaccines.
didnt know they were different, thought a vaccine is a vaccine. Good to know though, especaily for older people.
I got the Pfizer shot, hope its ok for me. But good theyr studying this stuff, gotta look out for the seniors you know.
My parents both had the Moderna vaccine, glad to know this! Science is amazing, isn’t it?
Moderna’s the way to go then for older peple. always good to have choice and knw whats best for who!