Pfizer, BioNTech, AstraZeneca or Johnson & Johnson? The first three are already authorized across the European Union and the fourth may soon be. But are these anti-covid vaccines all the same? The publication of new data now makes it possible to see more clearly and to specify the efficiency figures.

Pfizer, 94% effective in real conditions

The Pfizer / BioNTech messenger RNA vaccine has been used widely in Israel and a study published on February 24 in the New England Journal of Medicine gives an overview of its effectiveness in real conditions on 1.2 million people. It would thus be 94% effective at any age against symptomatic cases of covid-19, which confirms the data from clinical trials. It would also reduce severe cases of the disease by 92% and hospitalizations by 87%.

Real-world analyzes were the condition negotiated between Pfizer and Israel against very rapid access to vaccine doses. They make it possible to conclude on the effectiveness of a vaccine on a wider variety of people, behaviors and logistical challenges such as maintaining the cold chain.

And the study was conducted between December 20, 2020 and February 1, 2021, when the British variant was circulating widely in the country. This makes the results all the more interesting because data on the efficacy of vaccines against variants are still scarce.

Finally, the study reports a 92% effectiveness against the very possibility of being infected. This is crucial data because if confirmed, it would mean that vaccinated people do not transmit the virus.

Read also: INFOGRAPHIC – We explain how the different types of vaccines work

Johnson & Johnson, effective against severe forms

The Johnson & Johnson vaccine is not yet authorized in Europe but it is the subject of an authorization request. In the meantime, the United States Medicines Agency (FDA) confirmed its effectiveness on February 24 by publishing the clinical trial results conducted on 40,000 people. They report an efficacy of 85.4% against severe forms of covid and 66.1% against moderate forms.

More interesting: it has an efficacy against the severe forms of 81.7% in South Africa and 87.6% in Brazil, where the South African and Brazilian variants are widespread. In other words, this vaccine would be equally effective against these two variants.

AstraZeneca: also effective for people over 65?

The AstraZeneca vaccine has an efficacy of 62 to 70% according to scientific studies published to date. In France, it is not recommended for people over 65, for lack of sufficient efficacy data for this age group.

But the Scottish health authorities reported on February 22 new data that could prompt the French High Authority of Health (HAS) to review its recommendations. According to one Edimbourgh University study which has not yet been published, the AstraZeneca vaccine reduces the hospitalization rate by 94% and this figure would be 81% even in those over 80 years old.

A result which must be confirmed in new studies but which is encouraging for this vaccine.

Moderna: data soon on the South African variant

Like the Pfizer vaccine, the Moderna vaccine is a messenger RNA vaccine. And like him, its effectiveness would be, according to clinical trials, about 94% for all age groups.

The novelty concerning him is the development of a modified version, developed specifically against the South African variant. This new Moderna vaccine is now ready to be tested on humans in clinical trials, the biotechnology company announced on February 24.