COVID-19 Vaccines: MODERNA | PFIZER/BIONTECH | ASTRAZENECA

Ninja Nerd・2 minutes read

The video discusses the development process and key features of three Covid-19 vaccines funded by Operation Warp Speed: AstraZeneca (Oxford vaccine), Moderna, and Pfizer-BioNTech, outlining the mRNA technology used by Moderna and Pfizer-BioNTech. The vaccines aim to generate antibodies against the S protein to combat Covid-19, with varying efficacy, storage temperature requirements, and dosing regimens between the three vaccines.

Insights

  • mRNA vaccines like Moderna and Pfizer-BioNTech utilize lipid nanoparticles to deliver S protein mRNA into cells, triggering an immune response without altering DNA, aiming to generate antibodies against Covid-19.
  • AstraZeneca-Oxford's vaccine, using a chimpanzee adenovirus, expresses a protein resembling the virus's S-peptide, with a less stringent storage temperature requirement and a focus on detecting asymptomatic infections, showcasing a distinct approach compared to other vaccines.

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Recent questions

  • How do mRNA vaccines work?

    They use lipid nanoparticles to deliver S protein mRNA.

  • What are the phases of vaccine trials?

    They progress from small to large sample sizes.

  • How do AstraZeneca-Oxford vaccines differ?

    They use a chimpanzee adenovirus to express proteins.

  • What is the efficacy of Pfizer-BioNTech's vaccine?

    It shows around 95% effectiveness against the disease.

  • How are memory T cells stimulated?

    They are stimulated by cytokines released by T helper cells.

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Summary

00:00

"Operation Warp Speed: Covid-19 Vaccine Development"

  • The video discusses three Covid-19 vaccines funded by Operation Warp Speed: AstraZeneca (Oxford vaccine), Moderna, and Pfizer-BioNTech.
  • It outlines the development process of vaccines, emphasizing safety and efficacy as primary goals.
  • Vaccine development progresses through pre-clinical animal testing, followed by human trials in three phases: Phase 1 with a small sample size, Phase 2 with a moderate sample size, and Phase 3 with a large sample size.
  • Animal testing involves monitoring side effects, efficacy in antibody production, and prevention of disease after virus exposure.
  • Phase 1 human trials focus on a small sample size, healthy participants, monitoring side effects, and determining effective dosage.
  • Phase 2 human trials expand the sample size, include diverse demographics, and assess the effectiveness of the determined dosage.
  • Phase 3 human trials involve a large sample size, matching population demographics, and monitoring real-life effectiveness post-vaccination.
  • Moderna and Pfizer-BioNTech vaccines utilize mRNA technology with lipid nanoparticles to deliver the virus's S protein mRNA into host cells.
  • The mRNA is translated in host cell ribosomes to produce the S protein, triggering an immune response without integrating into the cell's DNA.
  • The vaccines aim to generate antibodies against the S protein to combat Covid-19, with the lipid nanoparticles acting as a transport mechanism for the mRNA.

15:38

Protein Translation and Immune Response in Vaccination

  • mRNA is used to make proteins through a process called translation.
  • Proteins are expressed on cell membranes, including MHC2 proteins on antigen-presenting cells and MHC-1 proteins on all nucleated cells.
  • MHC2 proteins are found on B cells, macrophages, and dendritic cells.
  • The S-protein shape on these complexes attracts T helper cells, which interact with the viral antigen using a TCR and CD4 protein.
  • Interleukins released by T helper cells stimulate B cells to proliferate and differentiate into plasma cells that produce antibodies against the S protein.
  • Cytokines released by T helper cells also stimulate the proliferation of memory T cells and effector T cells.
  • Cytotoxic T cells interact with MHC-1 complexes, releasing molecules that destroy infected cells and amplify the immune response.
  • The duration of antibody effectiveness against the virus is uncertain, with potential need for booster shots.
  • The AstraZeneca-Oxford vaccine uses a chimpanzee adenovirus to express a protein similar to the S-peptide of the virus.
  • The vaccine process involves the adenovirus releasing DNA into host cells, leading to the expression of proteins on cell membranes and the generation of an immune response.

32:44

COVID-19 Vaccine Efficacy and Storage Comparison

  • Vaccine efficacy is determined by calculating the effectiveness against mild to severe disease symptoms, with Pfizer-BioNTech's vaccine showing around 95% effectiveness against the disease and approximately 87.5% effectiveness against severe disease.
  • Pfizer-BioNTech's vaccine requires storage at a stringent temperature of around -94 degrees Fahrenheit (-70 degrees Celsius), posing challenges for transportation and storage infrastructure, potentially impacting overall costs.
  • Pfizer-BioNTech expects to produce 50 million vaccine units in 2020 and aims for 1.3 billion units by the end of 2021, with similar efficacy data to Moderna's vaccine but differing in storage temperature requirements.
  • AstraZeneca-Oxford vaccine follows a dosing regimen of two doses, with a unique focus on detecting asymptomatic infections through swab testing, showcasing a different approach compared to Pfizer and Moderna.
  • AstraZeneca-Oxford's study in Brazil and the UK revealed varying efficacy results due to a dosing error in the UK, resulting in a combined efficacy of around 70% when analyzing both studies together.
  • AstraZeneca-Oxford's vaccine storage temperature requirement is relatively less stringent, needing to be kept between 36 to 46 degrees Fahrenheit (2.2 to 7.8 degrees Celsius), allowing for storage in regular refrigerators.
  • AstraZeneca-Oxford estimates producing around 3 billion vaccine units by the end of 2021, with a potential increase to 4.5 billion units if the dosage's effectiveness is optimized, offering a cost-effective option with minimal reported side effects.
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