COVID-19 Vaccines Approved by WHO

The first COVID-19 Vaccines approved by WHO is Pfizer-BioNtech vaccine or Comirnaty. A COVID19 vaccine is designed to confer acquired immunity against the coronavirus which induces severe acute respiratory syndrome type 2 (SARSCoV2).

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a contagious infection caused by coronavirus 2 that leads severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS-CoV-2). The first case of Covid-19 discovered in Wuhan, China, in Dec. 2019. Since then, the disease has spread over the world, resulting in a pandemic.

1. Pfizer–BioNTech – BNT162b2

This COVID-19 vaccine, sold under the trade name Comirnaty. It is also an mRNA-based COVID-19 vaccine developed by BioNTech, a German biotechnology company, in union with Pfizer, an American pharmaceutical company, for clinical trials, logistics, and producing assistance. In addition, the vaccine works well intramuscularly. But the time increased to 42 days in the United States and four months in Canada. Comirnaty COVID-19 Vaccines approved by WHO (World Health Organization) on 31st December 2020 for emergency use.

An early trial of the data gave a 91.3% efficiency in avoiding illness within seven days of a second dosage, with no serious safety concerns. The United Kingdom was also the first country to use it in a crisis in December 2020. However, in most countries, it is legal to use on some level.

Moreover, you can store the vaccine at low temperatures. BioNTech and Pfizer are also testing a freeze version that doesn’t need to be kept in the freezer.

According to British study, the vaccine was 88% effective against illness with Delta, the variation first found in India. However, it has a 96% success rate in preventing Delta hospitalization.

Pfizer and BioNTech said that the Omicron version severely lowered vaccine antibodies power to kill the coronavirus. However, they determined that the third dose gave proper protection

2. Oxford–AstraZeneca – AZD1222

It is a main viral vector vaccine. In addition, it sells its products under the brand names Vaxzevria and Covishield. Oxford University and British-Swedish corporation AstraZeneca in the UK tested on the Chimpanzee as a vector. However, the vaccine works in deltoid muscle.

According to studies in 2020, the vaccine is 76% effective in preventing COVID-19 beginning 22 days after the first dose and 81.3% effective after the second dose. After the second treatment, research in Scotland found out for COVID-19 infection. After the second treatment, a study in Scotland found that  COVID-19 disease is active at low temperatures, and the vaccine remains stable.

According to British research, the AstraZeneca vaccine is 67% effective in preventing infection with the Delta strain. However, a Canadian study was 87% effective in preventing hospitalization and mortality from the variation.

3. Serum Institute of India- AZD1222  (Same formulation of Oxford and AstraZeneca-AZD1222 )

Serum Institute of India made the Covidsheid vaccine. Covishield is an Indian version of the Oxford-AstraZeneca covid vaccine manufactured in India. Serum Institute’s Covishield COVID-19 Vaccines Approved by WHO (World Health Authorization) on Feb. 15, 2021. Later on, Mar. 19 2021, WHO confirmed that Covishield had a positive benefit-risk profile. Moreover, it also shows a strong ability to prevent infections and reduce death rates worldwide.

4. Janssen or Johnson & Johnson – Ad26.COV2.S

The COVID-19 vaccine is also known as the Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine. Janssen COVID-19 vaccine produced by Janssen Vaccines in Leiden, Netherlands, and its Belgian parent firm Janssen Pharmaceuticals, a Johnson & Johnson affiliate. 

This is a human adenovirus-based vaccine that has been genetically modified to contain the SARS-CoV-2 virus’s spike protein which develops COVID-19 infection. The vaccine solely needs one service and does not require refrigeration. The vaccine is 66% effective in preventing COVID-19 in a one-dose regimen. It is 85 % effective in avoiding severe COVID-19, and 100% successful in preventing the illness. Janssen COVID-19 Vaccines approved by WHO (World Health Organization) on 12th March 2021 for emergency use.

In South Africa, where the Beta form was dominant during the experiment, Johnson & Johnson discovered that its vaccine had just a 52% efficiency. When the Delta variant was found in the summer of 2021, this vaccine revealed the findings of tests showing that their vaccine provided long-term protection.

However, according to another study conducted by outside researchers, the vaccine only provides a mediocre level of protection against Delta. Moreover, according to preliminary tests, the vaccine does not produce neutralizing antibodies against the Omicron form.

5. Moderna – mRNA-1273

The Moderna COVID-19 vaccine is also known as mRNA-1273. Moderna covid19 vaccine developed by Moderna, the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), the Development Authority in the United States, and Biomedical Advanced Research is marketed under the trade name Spike Vax. It is an R.N.A. vaccine made up of lipid nanoparticles encased in nucleoside-modified mRNA (modRNA) expressing a SARS-CoV-2 spike protein. About two weeks following the first dosage of Spikevax, evidence of vaccination effectiveness emerges. Covid19 can be prevented by immunization in two weeks after the second vaccine dosage. Effectiveness was measured at 94.1 %. Vials of Spike Vax could be stored in freezers, making distribution more accessible, particularly in developing nations. 

However, the vaccine provides significant protection against main variations such as Beta and Delta in tests.

6. Sinopharm – BBIBP-CorV (Vero Cells)

Sinopharm BIBP-CorV is a type of inactivated virus COVID-19 vaccine. BIBP-CorV was established by Sinopharm’s Beijing Institute of Biological Products. Sinopharm BIBP, or BIBP-CorV, is produced in China. Moreover, it depends on the same technology as CoronaVac and Covaxin. 

The vaccine works nicely at deltoid muscle. In addition, there are two dosages in the first course. Moreover, the WHO suggests a three to the four-week gap between doses. It also offers 78.1% efficiency against illness. 100% effective against severe cases in Phase III studies in the United Arab Emirates and Bahrain, according to data circulated in JAMA. However, the U.A.E. recently recorded average data showing 86% efficiency in December 2020.

According to a Chinese study, the vaccine’s antibody reaction was just marginally weaker against BetaB.1.351.This Chinese study yet to publish in a journal. It also enabled antibody responses to the Delta variant that was as robust as those produced by natural infection, according to a study from Sri Lanka announced in July.

7. Sinovac – CoronaVac

Sinovac Biotech in China made this Covid-19 vaccine. In contrast with other coronavirus vaccines, Coronvac uses standard technology.

This vaccine does not require storing and placing at low temperature. Therefore, both the complete product and the raw material of the vaccine will transport at 2–8 °C (36–46 °F). 

It is 66% effective against symptomatic cases of SARS-CoV-2, in severe cases 88% effective, 90% effective against I.C.U., and 86% effective against mortality in a real-world study of tens of millions of patients who got it.

However, it works better for deltoid muscles. In addition, there are two dosages in the first course. The WHO suggests a four-week gap between doses. However, early study shows that safety fades quickly, needing a booster after the first course. Coronavac COVID-19 Vaccines approved by WHO (World Health Organization) on 1st Jun 2021 for emergency use.

8. Bharat Biotech – BBV152 A,B,C

It collaborates with the Indian Council of Medical Research – National Institute of VirologyC to develop Covaxin (BBV152). This is a COVID-19 vaccine. In a study of 130 real cases, it showed 77.8% efficiency against COVID-19 illness, with 24 cases in the vaccine group against 106 in the placebo group. 

The Covaxin was the first made in India vaccine developed for SARS-CoV-2 infections. As per the study, The vaccine was 93.4% effective against severe COVID-19 illness. The effectiveness studies show that it protects against COVID-19 by 63.6%. It’s a vaccine that doesn’t need freezer storage, doesn’t require reconstitution. It comes in liquid form in multi-dose vials that’s stable at 2-8 degrees Celsius. Covaxin COVID-19 Vaccines approved by WHO (World Health Organization) on 3rd November 2021 for emergency use. 

When Delta variation is gaining steam in India, trials on Covaxin had conducted. It also offers 65.2% efficiency.

9. Novavax – NVX-CoV2373

Novavax and the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (CEPI) made this vaccine. Moreover, the brand names of this vaccine are Nuvaxovid and Covovax. 

It has two doses and is stable at low temperatures of 2 to 8 °C (36 to 46 °F). In addition, the most common side effects are headaches, feeling ill or vomiting, muscle and joint pain, warmth and pain at the injection site, fatigue, and feeling unwell.

In December 2021, the vaccine fulfilled its primary aim of preventing infection for at least seven days following the second dose in a phase 3 trial. Moreover, the vaccine offers all-around efficiency of 90.4%, with 100% efficiency against illness. Covavax COVID-19 Vaccines approved by WHO (World Health Organization) on 17th December 2021 for emergency use.

Novavax recorded that the Beta variation lowered the vaccine’s efficiency to less than 50% in a short clinical test performed in South Africa. Because some of the trial participants had H.I.V. and thus had weaker immune systems, the efficacy could have been exceptionally low. Novavax also calculated that the vaccine’s efficacy against Beta was 60%. However, Novavax revealed that its vaccine had lost some power against the Omicron variety.

10. Serum Institute of India – NVX-CoV2373 (Same formulation of Novavax -NVX-CoV2373 )