ALL YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT COVID-19 VACCINES

Vaccination is one of the solutions most advocated by health authorities to actively combat the covid-19 pandemic. According to statistics published by Our World In data, 382,000 doses of vaccine have already been distributed in Madagascar. In total, only 0.7% of the Malagasy population is fully vaccinated.

A certain amount of hesitation persists among most people, due to the wide range of information circulating about the vaccine.

How do covid-19 vaccines work? What are the different types of vaccine currently available?

Find out all you need to know about covid-19 vaccines below.

Reminder of the importance of protective measures.

Before turning to the vaccine and its efficiency against the disease, it’s worth remembering that it’s still important to observe protective measures. In practice, the aim of the vaccination strategy is to immunize the population against severe and fatal forms of the virus. As long as the number of people vaccinated does not reach a certain threshold, it remains possible to be infected and transmit covid-19!

That’s why the health authorities have launched a massive vaccination campaign, and are encouraging people to take precautions, even after the injection. In practice, antibodies only develop in the 15 days following the first vaccination. It is only after the second injection that the risk of contracting a severe form of the disease diminishes considerably. According to studies, vaccinated people are 9 times less likely to be hospitalized when they contract covid-19.

Despite the current vaccination campaign, we strongly advise you to continue to disinfect your hands frequently with hydroalcoholic gel, to follow the rules of hygiene and disinfection in the home and to wear a mask in public places.

How covid-19 vaccines work

Vaccines are designed to mimic the infectious agent, virus, bacteria or other disease-carrying microorganism. They enable the immune system to react effectively against these agents by introducing a weakened form of them into the body. This makes it easier for the body to recognize and combat the virus before it affects health.

While some vaccines against covid-19 have been developed using this traditional method, others work differently. They introduce a genetic code that allows the organism to produce the antigen itself.

This technology avoids introducing the live virus into the body, so that it does not interfere with human DNA. It is as effective as the traditional method in combating the serious consequences of the disease for humans.

The different covid-19 vaccines

The vaccines used within the framework of vaccination campaigns are:

Oxford/ AstraZeneca

With 63.9% efficacy against infection, this vaccine has been proven safe against the serious risks associated with covid-19, including hospitalization and death. Health authorities recommend that injections be spaced between 8 and 12 weeks apart for the vaccine to be effective against the disease. This vaccine is not recommended for people under 18 years of age.

Johnson & Johnson vaccine

Johnson & Johnson’s vaccine is 85.4% effective against covid-19, particularly its severe forms and hospitalization after 28 days of injection. Clinical trials also demonstrated 66.9% efficiency against symptomatic infection with moderate and severe forms of SARS-CoV-2.

It is intended for people over 18 years of age who have no history of anaphylaxis to any of its components.

The recommended dosage is a single injection of 0.5ml by the intramuscular route.

The Sinovac vaccine

The results of the phase 3 trial carried out in Brazil demonstrated that Sinovac vaccine is 51% effective against symptomatic infection with the virus, and 100% effective against its severe forms and hospitalization. These results are seen on average within 14 days of the 2nd dose.

The Sinovac vaccine is recommended for people aged 18 and over, people with comorbidity and nursing mothers.

Dosage is 2 doses of 0.5ml each, 2 to 4 weeks apart.

Sinopharm vaccine

Available data show that the vaccine is 79% effective against symptomatic infection and hospitalization.

It can be administered to people aged 18 and over, breastfeeding women and people living with HIV.

Pfizer BioNTech vaccine

Pfizer BioNTech vaccine is 95% effective against symptomatic SARS-CoV-2 infection.

It is recommended for people over the age of 12, pregnant women at high risk of exposure to the virus, nursing mothers and people living with HIV.

This vaccine requires 2 injections spaced 21 to 28 days apart to be effective.

Moderna vaccine

Moderna vaccine is 92% effective against covid-19. It provides protection against the virus within 14 days of the first dose.

It is suitable for people aged 18 and over, while the dosage is 2 doses that can be spaced up to 12 weeks apart.