Category: Covid-19 Vaccine

Australians over the age of 65 and other vulnerable individuals are set to begin rolling up their sleeves for another COVID-19 vaccine dose in just a couple of weeks.

In a bid to increase vaccine protection ahead of winter, the nation's top vaccine advisory group has recommended an additional booster dose for those who are at greatest risk of severe illness from COVID-19.

The rollout of "winter boosters" is set to begin on April 4, coinciding with the rollout of this year's influenza vaccination program.

Here's what you need to know.

The Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation (ATAGI) recommends an additional COVID-19 booster dose for:

For most people, this will be their fourth COVID-19 vaccine since the rollout began.

For severely immunocompromised people, it may be their fifth (having received three doses as part of their primary vaccination series, followed by a booster).

According to ATAGI, additional booster doses can be given from four months after a person has received their first booster dose.

If a person was infected with COVID-19 following their first booster, their additional booster may be given four months after infection.

(In special circumstances, ATAGI notes that some people may receive their winter booster sooner, but that it shouldn't be administered less than threemonths from a previous dose or infection.)

The flu vaccine can be administered alongside your COVID-19 winter booster, but if you're not yet eligible for your additional booster, you can receive your flu vaccine first.

Winter booster shots will be available at GP clinics, pharmacies, Indigenous health services and mass vaccination hubs.

Either of the available mRNA COVID-19 vaccines Pfizer or Moderna are preferred for booster doses, including the additional winter booster dose.

Either brand can be used, regardless of which vaccine brand was used for the primary course or first booster dose.

AstraZeneca, while not recommended, can be used when a person cannot receive an mRNA vaccine.

Similarly, Novavax can be used "if no other COVID-19 vaccine is considered suitable for that person".

The effectiveness of COVID-19 vaccines including booster vaccines gradually wanes over time, most notably against infection and symptomatic disease.

Early evidence suggests protection against hospitalisation is relatively well maintained following a booster, especially in young, healthy people.

But this protection drops to about 75-80 per cent after roughly three to four months.

According to ATAGI, around 160,000 people over the age of 65 will be four months from their first booster dose as of April 1.

"These recommendations for an additional booster dose focus on protecting the most vulnerable groups against severe disease," ATAGI says.

In recent weeks, Australia has seen an increase in COVID-19 cases due to the arrival of the highly-transmissible BA.2 subvariant.

Health authorities have expressed concern about what rising cases could mean as we head into flu season, with Australians "a little more vulnerable" to flu given reduced exposure in recent years.

"Reducing the burden of COVID-19 in high-risk populations during winter may reduce the strain on the healthcare system," ATAGI says.

"A four-month interval aligns with the evidence of waning [immunity] after the first booster dose, and will allow a large proportion of the eligible population to receive the additional dose before winter."

When it comes to the potential benefit of a fourth dose, preliminary data from Israel suggests that among higher-risk individuals, a second booster dose at four months resulted in a two-fold lower rate of infection, and four-fold lower rate of severe illness.

For the time being, ATAGI says there is "insufficient evidence" of the benefits of an additional booster for other groups to make broader recommendations.

That includes people under the age of 65 with medical conditions that may increase their risk of COVID-19, and workers in health care, aged or residential care facilities.

"This is based on evidence suggesting that protection from booster doses against transmission of the Omicron variant may be limited and short-lived," ATAGI says.

"ATAGI considers there to be more evidence to support direct protection from an additional booster dose to those at highest risk of severe disease."

In February, Australia changed its definition of "fully vaccinated" against COVID-19 to require three doses of a COVID-19 vaccine.

According to ATAGI, most healthy or low-risk adults who have received a two-dose primary course and a single booster dose will have a "low likelihood of severe illness", and are therefore not recommended for an additional booster dose.

"ATAGI will continue to monitor emerging evidence and may recommend an additional dose for these groups in the future."

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ATAGI is recommending a fourth COVID-19 vaccine for some Australians. Here's what you need to know - ABC News

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COVID-19 Vaccine and Sudden Hearing Loss: Is There a Potential Link? - Neurology Advisor

This page is no longer being updated. The tables and graphs below show data from Feb.27, 2022.

Health Canada announced the approval of the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine on Dec.9, 2020. On Dec. 23, it approved a second vaccine, from Moderna.

On Feb. 26, 2021, Health Canada approved the AstraZeneca-OxfordCOVID-19 vaccine.

On March 5, 2021,Johnson & Johnson's COVID-19 vaccine became the first single-dose vaccineapproved for use in Canada.

Health Canada authorized the use of the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine for children 12-15 years old on May 5, 2021. The Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine was then approved for children ages five to 11 on Nov.19, 2021.

Notes:

Jan. 28:Booster doses were added to the vaccination charts for Canada.

Nov. 19: Vaccination rates for the eligible population were updated to include those five and up.

June 22: A table was added and the Canada map updated to show the percentage of eligible people, 12 and up, who have received at least one dose or been fully vaccinated.

May 20:The Canada map was updated to show firstand second dose numbers for the provinces and territories. Quebec's second dose vaccine numbers were added. The chart on vaccinedoses distributed now also includes the percentage of doses usedand the storytext was updated to include additional information on Canada's vaccine rollout.

March 26: The page was updated to include the percentage of people in Canada given at least one dose. A map and table showing global vaccinations was also added.

Jan.28: Officials in Ontario announced an error in their previous reporting of completed vaccinations. This resulted in the number of people completely vaccinated in the province decreasing by about half.

Jan.14: Separate totals of the Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna vaccine doses distributed to each province were removed. This data is currently only available weekly, with many provinces and territories not providing breakdowns in their updates. This caused the numbers to not align with the combined totals distributed to the provinces and territories, which are updated more frequently.

Read more:

Track how many people have been given the COVID-19 vaccine ...

If youre hoping to get pregnant, you may have heard rumors that getting the COVID-19 vaccine can cause infertility. Lets debunk that myth right up front: No credible scientific evidence shows the COVID-19 vaccine has a negative impact on fertility.

Cleveland Clinic is a non-profit academic medical center. Advertising on our site helps support our mission. We do not endorse non-Cleveland Clinic products or services.Policy

COVID-19 vaccination does not decrease female fertility, confirms Ob/Gyn and reproductive infectious disease specialistOluwatosin Goje, MD. What can impact your fertility, though, is getting COVID-19 which means theres just one more reason to get your vaccine.

Dr. Goje talks about where the vaccine rumors came from, what the science really says about it and what having COVID-19 can do to your fertility.

In December 2020, a German scientist teamed up with a former Pfizer employee to share a hypothesis about the COVID-19 vaccine and infertility. It caught traction among vaccine skeptics and has persisted even though it has since been disproved by researchers.

The myth is based on an assumption that the vaccine could cause your body to attack syncytin-1, a protein in your placenta that shares a small piece of genetic code with the spike protein of the coronavirus.

Even though this misinformation was proved incorrect, the rumor still took on a life of its own, as it was shared and reshared throughout the internet.

Most of the data coming out agrees with initial information that vaccines do not affect fertility, Dr. Goje says. She shares some of the science debunking this myth and explains the COVID-19 vaccines safety for people who are pregnant and want to become pregnant.

A January 2022 study published in the American Journal of Epidemiology looked at 2,000 couples trying to conceive without fertility treatment. Data shows no differences in the likelihood of conception between vaccinated and unvaccinated couples.

Researchers found no association between the COVID-19 vaccine and lower fertility rates, Dr. Goje says.

A fetus cant survive without the placenta, which connects to your uterus during pregnancy. If the vaccine actually attacked the placenta, Dr. Goje explains, wed be seeing a rise in miscarriages among vaccinated people which isnt the case.

The thought that the vaccine would attack the placenta has been debunked because there has been no increase in miscarriages among vaccinated women, she says.

Researchers havent found any evidence of the vaccine having a negative impact on sperm. Two studies in couples undergoing fertility treatment found no appreciable difference in semen volume, sperm concentration or motility measured before and after vaccination, Dr. Goje adds.

Getting the COVID-19 vaccine wont impact your fertility, but catching the virus could. Dr. Goje breaks down some of the science about the effect that COVID-19 infection can have on people who are pregnant or trying to become pregnant.

Though the myth says the vaccine could negatively impact the placenta, it seems that its the virus that actually does so. The vaccine has been shown to be safe for people who are pregnant, while studies show that pregnant people who contract COVID-19 have higher rates of:

This shows that the relationship to the placenta is actually a concern for pregnant people who get infected, not for pregnant people who get vaccinated, Dr. Goje says.

The January 2022 study found that in couples in trying to get pregnant, conception was down 18% in the three months after the male partner (or partner assigned male at birth [ABAB]) was infected with COVID-19.

Dr. Goje says doctors arent yet sure why this is, but researchers continue to study COVID-19s impact on the body, and studies have reported on a few possibilities:

Within a few months of having COVID-19, male fertility seems to go back to normal. But if youre trying to get pregnant, its important to know how your partners infection could temporarily impact your ability to conceive.

By now, we know that COVID-19 can trigger a variety of health concerns. Studies show that one of those concerns is subacute thyroiditis, an inflammation of the thyroid gland that can happen when your body is fighting off a virus. This leads to over- or under-production of thyroid hormone, which can, in turn, impact your ability to get pregnant.

Thyroid disorders affect menstrual cycles and fertility, so its possible that dysregulation of the thyroid due to COVID-19 can indirectly affect fertility, Dr. Goje explains.

Whether youre trying to get pregnant or just trying to stay healthy, all of the science points in the same direction: Getting your COVID-19 vaccine is the best way to fend off the viruss most severe impacts. If youre hoping to conceive, you can get vaccinated with confidence, knowing that its one of the best ways to protect your health and your fertility.

Continued here:

How COVID-19 (and the Vaccine) Can Impact Your Fertility - Health Essentials from Cleveland Clinic

(ST. JOSEPH, Mo.) Missouri Western State University and Heart to Heart International are holding another COVID-19 vaccine clinic next week.

The event will be held on Thursday, March 31 from 12 p.m. to 6 p.m. in Room 101 of Remington Hall.

COVID adult and pediatric vaccines will be available.

The clinic is free and open to the public. First, second or booster doses will be available.

Walk-ins are welcome you can register by CLICKING HERE.

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Heart to Heart International and MWSU hosting COVID-19 vaccine clinic - KQ2.com

Verifying employees' COVID-19 vaccination status raises unique confidentiality and privacy concerns for employers. Documentation regarding an individual's vaccination status is confidential medical information under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and some state privacy laws.

However, the federal requirement to treat COVID-19 vaccination status as confidential information does not bar employers from inquiring about it. Here are some recommendations for your family business when collecting an employee's vaccination certificates or tracking their vaccination status.

While employers can ask for an employee's status or proof of COVID-19 vaccination under federal and most state laws, they must be careful about obtaining additional employee health information. For example, simply asking the employee to provide proof of a COVID-19 vaccination is allowed under the ADA because it does not require the employee to disclose disability-related information.

If your business asks employees to provide vaccination proof from a healthcare provider, you should tell the employees that they should not submit any additional medical information outside of proof of vaccination in order to avoid potentially violating the ADA.

There is no standard proof of vaccination status, given the interplay of frequently changing federal, state, and local vaccine-related guidance. Proof of vaccination status depends on the applicable laws in your jurisdiction. For example, self-attestation is appropriate proof of vaccination status under California's Ca/OSHA Emergency Temporary Standards. On the other hand, self-attestation is insufficient proof of vaccination under many federal vaccine mandates.

We recommend that you only ask the employees to provide the bare minimum of supporting documentation, such as a vaccination card or survey response if it is deemed an acceptable form of proof under applicable mandates. You should further inform the employee how their refusal to provide any proof of vaccination will be treated.

Several state and federal laws apply when employers handle employees' medical information. For example, you might be required to provide a collection notice to the employee under state privacy laws.

Additionally, access to confidential information must be limited by ensuring that it is safely stored. The information regarding an employee's vaccination status should be stored separately from the employee's personnel file.

Many state laws prevent employers from disclosing the vaccination status of an employee to third parties without the employee's prior consent. You should have a policy in place that notifies employees of the measures you have taken to protect their confidential information.

The policy should be updated in light of any new COVID-19-related rules and guidelines. Additionally, make sure that you are complying with applicable federal and state laws before reprimanding an employee for refusing to disclose their vaccination status.

[View source.]

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Best Practices for Tracking and Storing COVID-19 Vaccination Status of Employees - JD Supra

The current coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, which is caused by the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), has resulted in a significant impact on global health. In most individuals, SARS-CoV-2 infection only causes mild disease; however, in a small minority of patients, COVID-19 can lead to severe respiratory failure and death.

Study: Severe Acute Respiratory Coronavirus-2 Antibody and T cell response after a third vaccine dose in hemodialysis patients compared with healthy controls. Image Credit: ainata / Shutterstock.com

Severe disease and increased risk of death associated with COVID-19 are observed in patients undergoing hemodialysis (HD). As a result, HD patients are among those prioritized to receive COVID-19 vaccinations.

Previous research has highlighted that HD patients elicit a diminished immune response after two doses of a COVID-19 vaccine. Although some research has tried to expand the understanding on this area, the T-cell interferon- (IFF-) response in HD patients following immunization has not been fully described. Due to the reduction of vaccine-induced antibodies and the rise of COVID-19 cases in Austria, the third dose of COVID-19 vaccines has been advised.

In a recent study published on the medRxiv*preprint server, researchers compare the impact of a third messenger ribonucleic acid (mRNA) COVID-19 vaccine in HD patients to healthy controls by measuring antibody levels and IFN- responses six to eight weeks after these individuals had received their third dose. Using this information, the authors were interested in establishing differences between the groups and determining whether further safeguards are required to appropriately protect this vulnerable population.

Patient flowchart. This flowchart is a graphical representation of the study design. The time axis on the left shows various significant time points in the study for easy orientation. The column beside the time points lists the events that occurred at this time point. Entries in this column are explained in the box at the bottom right of the flowchart.

The current prospective cohort study evaluated the antibody and IFN- response to two doses of the Pfizer/BioNTech BNT-162b2 mRNA vaccine followed by a booster mRNA vaccine dose. The eligibility criteria for HD patients included dialysis treatment for at least three months and receipt of a Comirnaty vaccine. The healthy control group consisted of volunteer healthcare workers who had received the same vaccinations as the HD patients.

Initially, 81 dialysis patients were invited to receive a third booster vaccine dose. Four of these individuals became infected with SARS-CoV-2, two were unable to be vaccinated due to high C-reactive protein (CRP) levels, three obtained a transplant, and 12 died. Finally, a total of 60 HD patients were included in the study to receive their third vaccine dose.

Comparatively, a total of 65 healthy people were included as controls in the current study.

Antibody titers against the SARS-CoV-2 receptor-binding domain (RBD) in 65 healthcare workers and 60 HD patients were assessed. Six to eight weeks after receiving a third COVID-19 vaccine dose, 100% of the control group had neutralizing antibody titers exceeding 15 BAU/ml. After the third vaccine dose, 97% of HD patients seroconverted.

No significant difference was observed in the SARS-CoV-2 RBD-specific antibody titers when the control group was compared to the HD patient group six to eight weeks following the third dose. However, HD patients with low initial antibody titers or who were considered non-responders had considerably lower antibody titers after receiving their third vaccine dose than the control and HD patient responder groups.

IFN- titers that were greater than the cut-off level were observed in 96% of the healthcare workers and 76% of the HD patients. Thus, the distribution of IFN- secretion differs between the three groups. The only significant difference was observed in median IFN- quantile regression analysis of the control group as compared to previously low/non-responder HD patients.

Reports of adverse events (AE) between the two groups were evaluated and compared descriptively, with all data obtained through self-reported questionnaires. To this end, no participants in either of the groups reported AEs that required hospitalization or a visit to an emergency department. In comparison to HD patients, the control group reported more local and systemic AEs after receiving their third vaccine dose.

Systemic adverse events (AEs) after the third vaccination. All numbers represent the percentages of dialysis (n = 36) and control (n = 61) patients. The AEs were recorded using a standardized questionnaire and graded by the patients (Grade 1: mild, does not interfere with activity; Grade 2: moderate, interferes with activity; Grade 3: severe, prevents daily activity). No Grade 4 events (emergency department visits or hospitalization) were reported. HD patients, patients on hemodialysis; GI, gastrointestinal AEs (diarrhea, nausea and vomiting).

Taken together, the current study findings indicate that the third dose of a COVID-19 vaccine is a viable method for improving immune responses in most HD patients to levels comparable to healthy controls. To prevent HD patients from severe SARS-CoV-2 infection, more research on alternate immunization techniques should be conducted in the future.

bioRxiv publishes preliminary scientific reports that are not peer-reviewed and, therefore, should not be regarded as conclusive, guide clinical practice/health-related behavior, or treated as established information

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T-cell and neutralizing antibody response after a third COVID-19 vaccine dose in hemodialysis patients - News-Medical.Net

Health centers have administered more than 20 million doses of COVID-19 vaccine.

Today, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) recognized the one-year anniversary of the Health Resources and Services Administrations (HRSA) Health Center COVID-19 Vaccine Program, which received funding from President Bidens American Rescue Plan and has provided COVID-19 vaccines directly to thousands of HRSA-supported health center sites nationwide. To date, health centers have administered more than 20 million vaccines in underserved communities across the country through the HRSA program and partnerships with states.

Health centers are not only cornerstones of our communities but they have been critical to our nation's COVID-19 response, said HHS Secretary Xavier Becerra. Because of the tireless efforts of health centers over the past year, especially through the Health Center COVID-19 Vaccine Program, anyone who wanted a COVID-19 vaccine was able to get one free of charge no matter where they lived, including those in underserved communities. We are indebted to the frontline workers and staff at health centers across the country for saving lives, keeping our families healthy and ensuring our pandemic response was more equitable.

Since the launch of this program, health centers have held nearly 60,000 community-based vaccination events in partnership with local community-based organizations, including schools, community centers, faith-based organizations, and have used mobile vans to bring vaccines to the community. These efforts were supported, in whole or in part, by the American Rescue Plans historic $7.6 billion investment in health centers to prevent, mitigate, and respond to COVID-19, as well as retain essential health care providers, maintain and expand services, and improve health care facilities and equipment. This will better protect communities from future pandemics and other health threats.

Across the country, health centers have made equitable access to COVID-19 vaccination a reality for communities most in need while continuing to provide other critically needed health services, said HRSA Administrator Carole Johnson. These health center efforts have narrowed racial and ethnic disparities in COVID-19 care and services yet the nations work on vaccination, testing and treatment remains at risk without additional funding.

The Health Center COVID-19 Vaccine Program was developed to further ensure the equitable distribution of vaccines in the nations underserved communities and those disproportionately affected by COVID-19. The majority of doses administered by health centers have been provided to individuals from racial and ethnic minority populations.

Building on the successful implementation of the Health Center COVID-19 Vaccine Program, HRSA launched the HRSA COVID-19 Testing Supply Program, the HRSA Health Center COVID-19 Therapeutics Program, and the HRSA Health Center COVID-19 N95 Mask Program. Together, these COVID-19 Response Programs ensure people in some of the hardest hit communities have access to tools that can mitigate the spread and impact of the virus. These programs have also served to strengthen partnerships and coordination efforts between health centers and states, localities, and other jurisdictions nationwide.

HRSA-supported health centers include HRSA-funded health centers and Health Center Program look-alikes that provide comprehensive, culturally competent, quality primary health care services consistent with Health Center Program requirements. Health centers are community-based and patient-directed organizations that deliver affordable, accessible, high-quality, and cost-effective primary health care to nearly 29 million patients each year. The more than 1,400 health centers in our country serve as a national source of primary care for underserved communities. More than 90 percent of health center patients are individuals or families living at or below 200 percent of the Federal Poverty Guidelines (about $46,000 per year for a family of three in most states) and approximately 62 percent are racial/ethnic minorities.

To view health center COVID-19 vaccination data, visit: https://data.hrsa.gov/topics/health-centers/covid-vaccination.

To see more data about health centers role in combatting COVID-19, visit: https://bphc.hrsa.gov/emergency-response/coronavirus-health-center-data.

To locate a HRSA-funded health center, visit: https://findahealthcenter.hrsa.gov.

Excerpt from:

HHS Recognizes One-Year Anniversary of Health Center COVID-19 Vaccine Program to Advance Equity in Pandemic Response - HHS.gov

European Medicines Agency is expected to approveAstraZeneca Plc'sAZN antibody-based COVID-19 vaccine for preventing COVID-19 infections,Reuters reportedciting two people familiar with the review.

The treatment is meant for adults whose immune system is too weak to respond to vaccines.

The expected recommendation by the European Medicines Agency (EMA) is set to be confirmed swiftly by the European Commission. According to an agenda posted on the EMA's website, an EMA expert panel on drug assessment is due to discuss AstraZeneca's COVID-9 treatment, Evusheld, this week.

Related:AstraZeneca Mulls Ditching US Approval For Its COVID-19 Vaccine: FT.

The EMA, which started its real-time review of Evusheld last October, said if the panel concluded this week, it would communicate its opinion towards the end of this week. The review would conclude within weeks and that AstraZeneca's data was robust.

Related:AstraZeneca's COVID-19 Antibody Neutralizes Omicron Sub-variants, Lab Study Shows.

According to one of the sources, EMA's ongoing review of Lagevrio (molnupiravir)Merck & Co IncMRK, andRidgeback Biotherapeutics'COVID-19 oral treatment was unlikely to be concluded before the end of April.

Last week, the EMA said it was difficult to predict how long that review would take.

Price Action:AZN shares are up 0.91% at $64.24 during the market session on the last check Wednesday.

Photo by Paul McManus from Pixabay

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AstraZeneca's COVID-19 Vaccine Expected To Win European Approval This Week: Reuters - Benzinga - Benzinga

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As much as we might like to think that public health and the economy are not dependent on one another, the reality is they are inexorably linked. A strong economy allows us to have state-of-the-art research facilities and medical treatments, but at the same time, we cant have a healthy economy without a healthy population.

See: How Much Will Pfizer and Moderna Be Worth by the End of 2022?Find: Many Companies Heading Back to the Office Sooner Than You Think, Experts Say

When people are sick, they dont go out and spend money, and economic activity slows. This is exactly what we saw when industries related to travel and entertainment slowed to a crawl due to the pandemic.

Fortunately, vaccines started to become available in less than a year a time that felt long but was actually lightning-quick compared to past vaccines. Its no surprise then that the companies that led the way in developing vaccines were rewarded handsomely with big increases in their stock prices. Some even saw two-year increases that were well into the triple-digit range.

Lets take a look at some of the biggest names in vaccine development and how their stocks fared since the beginning of the pandemic, and since the beginning of the COVID vaccine rollout.

BioNTech was the trailblazer for COVID vaccines released in the United States. BioNTech partnered with Pfizer in producing what is often referred to as the Pfizer vaccine, which was the first COVID vaccine available in the U.S. The two-dose vaccine is 95% efficacious, making it a key tool in preventing serious illness due to COVID-19.

Given BioNTechs key role in fighting the pandemic and the fact the company wasnt really known beforehand it comes as no surprise that its stock (NASDAQ: BNTX) has more than quadrupled since March 2020. At the time, its shares sold for $30.93, but have since increased by 338% to more than $135 per share. However, its shares have declined significantly as of late, down more than 45% in the past six months.

More Pandemic Effects: Homebuyers Are Leaving These 5 Big Cities, Relocating to These 5 Big Cities

Pfizer is a large pharmaceutical company many people know for drugs such as Viagra. However, the company was instrumental in helping BioNTech develop the first FDA-approved COVID vaccine in the U.S.

Pfizer stock (NYSE: PFE) has increased as a result, though not as dramatically as some of the other names mentioned here. Its stock increased 62% from March 2020 to March 2022 and 44.83% since March 2021. Its stock slipped slightly in the past month, though it only declined by 1%.

Along with Pfizer/BioNTech, Moderna is the other developer of a two-dose mRNA vaccine approved for use in the United States. Modernas vaccine is slightly less effective than the Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine, but at 94.1% efficacy, the Moderna vaccine still provides outstanding protection.

Recently, both Pfizer and Moderna have asked the FDA to approve second boosters. Pfizer and BioNTech asked for approval for adults 65 and over, while Moderna seeks approval for all adults.

Moderna stock (NASDAQ: MRNA) has done extremely well since the start of the pandemic with a nearly 550% rise in its stock since March 2020. It went from just over $21 per share in March 2020 to more than $321 per share in October 2021. However, the stock has done poorly more recently shares are up 0.88% overall for the year, but down 57% in the past six months. In the latter period, its stock price has dropped by more than $183, closing at $138.20 on March 11, 2022.

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Johnson & Johnson is a large pharmaceutical that produces much more than just vaccines. Many people know the Johnson & Johnson brand, but the company also owns brands such as Band-Aid, Neutrogena and Tylenol. J&J developed a one-dose COVID vaccine that was initially thought to be an important part of fighting the pandemic because recipients wouldnt have to return for a second dose.

But the vaccine was shown to be just 66.3% effective in clinical trials compared to more than 90% for Pfizer and Moderna. This may help explain why Johnson & Johnson (NYSE: JNJ) has fared the worst in the past two years of any stock mentioned here, up just 27.85%. Its one-year change is just 7.58%. On the plus side, it has continued a slow and steady rise in the past six months.

AstraZeneca has a two-dose vaccine that was approved for emergency use in the U.K. at the start of 2021. In November 2021, AstraZeneca announced that two billion doses of the vaccine had been administered. AstraZenecas stock (NASDAQ: AZN) hasnt fared as well as other vaccines on this list, with a 42.62% increase from March 2020 to March 2022.

The vaccine is 76% efficacious according to the World Health Organization, which is good, but not as good as other vaccines in the U.S. Plus, the vaccine was temporarily suspended in several countries due to concerns over rare blood clots.

Despite all this, shares of AZN have fared better in the past year with a 24.54% increase from March 2021 to March 2022.

Learn:How Has COVID-19 Changed the Way People View Retirement?

Novavax is an American biotech company that is developing a COVID vaccine. This vaccine is notable because, unlike the BioNTech and Moderna vaccines, the Novavax vaccine is a protein vaccine. While this vaccine will be a protein subunit vaccine, protein recombinant vaccines have been around since the 1970s, which could be a positive for those who are hesitant toward mRNA vaccines.

Despite this development, Novavax stock (NASDAQ: NVAX) has been even more of a roller coaster than Moderna. Its shares are up nearly 767.90% since the start of the pandemic, but down 64% the past year. That said, Novavax stock sold for just $8.41 at the start of the pandemic, and in March 2022 it sold for nearly $73.

More From GOBankingRates

Methodology: For this piece, GOBankingRates used Yahoo Finance data in order to discover how the COVID-19 vaccine as affected certain vaccine/medical company stocks. First, GOBankingRates found the following for each company looked at: (1) March 13, 2020 stock closing price; (2) March 12, 2021 stock closing price; (3) October 13, 2021 stock closing price; (4) February 11, 2022 stock closing price; and (5) March 11, 2022 stock closing price. With these figures collected GOBankingRates next found the following for each stock: (6) two year (Mar. 2020 to Mar. 2022) change in stock price; (7) one year (Mar. 2021 to Mar. 2022) change in stock price; (8) six month (Oct. 2021 to Mar. 2022) change in stock price; and (9) one month (Feb. 2022 to Mar. 2022) change in stock price. All data was collected and is up to date as of March 14, 2022.

Bob Haegele is a personal finance writer who specializes in topics such as investing, banking, credit cards, and real estate. His work has been featured on The Ladders, The Good Men Project, and Small Biz Daily. He also co-runs Modest Money and is a dog sitter and walker.

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How the COVID-19 Vaccine Has Affected Pfizer and 5 Other Notable Stocks - GOBankingRates