No, not everyone will get the same COVID-19 vaccine. What to know – CNET

The first wave of coronavirus vaccines will be making landfall in the US soon, raising a raft of questions about which one you might get and, more to the point, when you might be able to get it. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has already prioritized which groups should get the very first available doses of the COVID-19 vaccine. More vaccines are on the way, however, and with them, more questions. Who will get those other vaccines and how soon can you expect to be protected against COVID-19?

With over a dozen COVID-19 vaccine candidates currently in late-stage clinical trials and dozens more not too far behind them, it’s become evident that not everyone in the world will get the same vaccine. Not only are there different manufacturers — AstraZeneca, Johnson & Johnson, Norovax and so on — but each vaccine works a little differently from the others.

That means it’s possible some vaccines may be reserved for certain groups instead of others based on how the drugs act on the body or how they’re dispensed. For example, some single-dose vaccines might better serve low population density, rural communities, whereas city dwellers and suburbanites who live closer to more health care providers may get vaccines that require subsequent “booster” doses.

The vast majority of coronavirus vaccines are still under development and the science continues to evolve, so nothing is set in stone. Here, we paint in broad strokes a picture of what the coming vaccine landscape may look like. We’ll continue to update this story as new information comes to light. This article is intended to be a general overview and not a source of medical advice. If you’re seeking more information about coronavirus testing, here’s how to find a testing site near you.

The first two likely coronavirus vaccines in the US: Pfizer, Moderna

What they are: Both Pfizer and Moderna’s vaccines are mRNA, or “genetic,” vaccines, an entirely new class of drugs that are unstable at room temperatures and must be kept frozen until right before they are dispensed.

When they’re coming: The UK has already approved and begun dispensing Pfizer’s vaccine. So too has Canada. In the US, Pfizer’s vaccine could be authorized within days and both are expected to be authorized by the Food and Drug Administration, almost certainly by January.

Who they might be best for: More than likely, nursing home staff and residents, and front-line health care workers. The first person in the UK to receive the Pfizer vaccine was 90-year-old Margaret Keenan.

Refrigeration: Pfizer’s vaccine requires long-term storage colder than Antarctica: -94 degrees Fahrenheit. It can then be stored at normal refrigerator temperatures of 35 to 46 F for up to five days. Moderna’s needs temperatures a commercial deep freezer could probably handle for long-term storage: -4 degrees F. It keeps at typical refrigerator temperatures (36 to 46 degrees F) for 30 days.

One or two shots: Two — both vaccines require an initial dose followed by a booster several weeks later.

Oxford University/AstraZeneca vaccine isn’t far behind

What it is: Once the vaccine race frontrunner, the coronavirus vaccine developed by Oxford University and British-Swedish pharmaceutical giant AstraZeneca has run into a few snags, which have delayed its application for authorization.

When it’s coming: Likely in early 2021.

Who it might be best for: At first, people in India, where an AstraZeneca partner has already applied for authorization. Which groups get it in the US might depend on when it’s finally authorized here.

Refrigeration: A standard refrigerator could handle it: 36 to 46 degrees F.

One or two shots: Two, spaced a month apart.

Novavax may be authorized after New Year

What it is: Considered something of an “underdog” only because it’s in fourth place in the race to authorization, Novavax’s coronavirus vaccine is still in late-stage clinical trials.      

When it’s coming: Probably sometime in the first half of 2021.

Who it might be best for: Not quite sure yet. 

Refrigeration: A standard refrigerator could handle it: 39 to 46 degrees F.

One or two shots: Two doses spaced three weeks apart, plus an adjuvant, a second drug that helps the vaccine work better.

Needle-free vaccine delivery from Inovio

What it is: Instead of a syringe and needle, Inovio’s unique system uses an electrical pulse to deliver the vaccine into the body, where it can trigger an immune response.

When it’s coming: Inovio just began midstage clinical trials in December, so a summer 2021 release might be a realistic expectation if all goes well with the studies.

Who it might be best for: Children and adults with an intense fear of needles; people in developing areas where safe needle disposal is a challenge.

Refrigeration: Can be kept at room temperature.

One or two shots: Two doses, four weeks apart.

There’s no guarantee that any of the vaccines listed above will be authorized by the FDA, nor do any of the timelines take into account the potential for future snags or delays, but we will update this article as new information surfaces. We’ll also continue to add more vaccines to this list as it becomes clearer when other manufacturers might apply for authorization, as well as which groups are likely to receive them.

For more information about how vaccines are developed and distributed as well as the latest in vaccine news, read our coronavirus vaccine explainer. If you have specific questions about a COVID-19 vaccine, we may have already answered them here. Wondering when you can get one? We’re tracking coronavirus vaccine priority groups here.

The information contained in this article is for educational and informational purposes only and is not intended as health or medical advice. Always consult a physician or other qualified health provider regarding any questions you may have about a medical condition or health objectives.