Pfizer BionTech Covid vaccine is a covid 19 vaccine that helps to build protective immunity against coronavirus infection.
Pfizer BioNTech vaccine is made by
This Pfizer BioNTech vaccine is made by Pfizer, Inc., and BioNTech.
Pfizer BioNTech vaccine type
Simimlar to Covaxin, Covishield, Moderna, The Pfizer BioNTech Vaccine is a mRNA vaccine. These vaccines are made with a genetically engineered technique.
Pfizer BioNTech vaccine doses, time gap
Just like most other vaccines, this is a two doses vaccine.
The time gap between two doses: The second dose of the Pfizer- BioNTech vaccine is given 21 days after the first dose. So there is a time gap of 21 days between two doses of this vaccine.
You should take second dose of the Pfizer BioNTech vaccine if you take first dose of the Pfizer BioNTech vaccine. You should not take second dose with any other covid 19 vaccines.
Pfizer BioNTech vaccine process
This Pfizer BioNTech vaccine is given through the intramuscular route in the upper arm muscle, preferably in the deltoid muscle.
Pfizer BioNTech vaccine ingredients
The Pfizer BioNTech vaccine contains the following ingredients-
- Nucleoside-modified mRNA encoding the viral spike glycoprotein (S glycoprotein) of coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2)
- 2[(polyethylene glycol(PEG))-2000]-N,N-ditetradecylacetamide
- 1,2-distearoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine
- Cholesterol
- (4-hydroxybutyl)azanediyl)bis(hexane-6,1-diyl)bis(2-hexyldecanoate)
- Sodium chloride
- Monobasic potassium phosphate
- Potassium chloride
- Dibasic sodium phosphate dihydrate
- Sucrose
Who can get Pfizer BioNTech vaccine?
People who are above 12 years old can receive the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine. Yes, unlike other vaccines, this vaccine is allowed even for children above 12 years old.
Who should not get Pfizer BioNTech vaccine?
You should not receive the Pfizer BioNTech vaccine if you
- Experienced severe allergic reaction (anaphylaxis) to any ingredients of this Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine.
- Experienced an immediate allergic reaction that may not be severe, to any ingredients of this vaccine. Immediate allergic reaction means a reaction that occurs within 4 hours of exposure. The symptoms of immediate allergic reactions are hives, shortness of breath, wheezing (a whistling sound in the airway), etc.
- Experienced severe or immediate allergic reaction after receiving the first dose of any mRNA covid vaccine.
- Already received other covid 19 vaccines.
Pfizer BioNTech vaccine Side effects
There are two types of side effects. One is on the injection site due to injection. The other is general side effects.
Injection site side effects
There may be pain, redness, swelling in the injection site that is in your upper arm where you received the shot.
General side effects
- Tiredness
- Fatigue
- Fever
- Headache
- Chills
- Nausea
- Muscle pain
- Malaise
Usually, these side effects occur within 1-2 days after getting the vaccine. These side effects are normal because the body is building protective immunity against coronavirus infection. The side effects normally go away within a few days.
You may also experience other side effects not mentioned above. It is not possible to predict who will get side effects and to what degree.
Some people experience mild side effects whereas some people experience moderate side effects. Side effects vary from person to person. Few people experience severe side effects. If you experience any severe side effects or any side effects that are of concern, then you should seek immediate medical help.
Pfizer BioNTech vaccine Safety
The clinical trial report shows side effects usually occurred within 7 days after getting the vaccine. The side effects were mostly mild. Some people experienced side effects that affected their abilities to do daily works.
Side effects like fever, chills, headache, tiredness were more common after the second dose of the vaccine.
Pfizer BioNTech vaccine effectiveness
The clinical trial report in people above 16 years old shows the Pfizer BioNTech vaccine is 95 percent effective to prevent laboratory confirmed coronavirus infection in people who got two doses of the Pfizer BioNTech vaccine and who had no history of previous coronavirus infection.
The clinical trial report indicates that the Pfizer BioNTech vaccine is highly effective to prevent laboratory confirmed coronavirus infection in people who are within 12-15 years old.
Also, the immune response or protective immunity against coronavirus infection in people 12-15 years old is at least as strong as the immune response in people in the age range of 16-25 years.
The Pfizer BioNTech vaccine is highly effective to prevent coronavirus infection in people with underlying medical conditions such as obesity, diabetes, lung disease, etc.
Research shows that the mRNA covid 19 vaccine reduces the risk of covid 19 and also reduces severe illness due to covid 19 by 90 percent or more in fully vaccinated people.
Pfizer BioNTech vaccine and delta Variant
As per a study that published in The New England Journal of Medicine, the Pfizer BioNTech vaccine is 30.7 percent effective after first dose against delta variant and 88 percent effective against delta variant after two dose of this vaccine.
Takeaway :
The Pfizer BioNTech vaccine is a mRNA vaccine. Just like other mRNA covid vaccine, this vaccine is also effective against delta variant. The most good part is that this Pfizer BioNTech vaccine can be given to those who are above 12 years old.
Clinical trial reports are promising and apparently this vaccine is safe to use even if you have any underlying medical conditions such as obesity, lung disease, etc. You can also go through our other covid 19 vaccine related articles before taking final decision that which covid 19 vaccine will suit you best. Stay healthy and happy.
