COVID-19 Vaccines: mRNA vs Traditional (2020)
by Anonymous
When COVID-19 struck, vaccine developers chose between proven traditional methods (inactivated virus, viral vector) and the untested-at-scale mRNA technology. Moderna and Pfizer's mRNA vaccines were the first to gain emergency authorization.
mRNA Vaccines (Pfizer/Moderna)
2020
year
11 months (record-breaking)
development speed
~95% against original strain
efficacy
First authorized — billions of doses administered
outcome
Viral Vector (AstraZeneca/J&J)
2020
year
12-14 months
development speed
60-70%
efficacy
Authorized — widely used globally
outcome
Inactivated Virus (Sinovac/Sinopharm)
2020
year
12-15 months
development speed
50-80%
efficacy
Used primarily in China and developing countries
outcome
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