Explained: Covid-19 vaccines in use across the world today

Even as Coronavirus cases across the world continue to decrease, the demand for vaccines continues to increase with growing awareness among the people. As of June 2, a total of 1,581,509,628 vaccine doses have been administered worldwide.

According to the WHO, there are 102 vaccines in clinical development and 185 in pre-clinical development. Let's take a look at some of the vaccines that are in use across the world right now. 

Moderna Vaccine (mRNA-1273):
Country of Origin: United States
Date of WHO Approval: April 30, 2021
Dosage: 2 doses given 28 days apart

The mRNA-based vaccine has been developed by Moderna, Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority (BARDA) and the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID). According to the US Centres for Disease Control (CDC), it is 80% effective after the first dose and 90% after the second. The vaccine has been bought by Australia, Canada, Columbia, European Union, Israel, Japan, Philippines, Qatar, Singapore, South Korea, Switzerland, Taiwan, UK and the US.

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AstraZeneca (AZD1222, Covishield and Vaxzevria)
Country of Origin: United Kingdom
Date of WHO Approval: February 10, 2021
Dosage: 2 doses given 6-12 weeks apart

The adenovirus vaccine has been developed by AstraZeneca and the Oxford Vaccine Group, and in India by the Serum Institute of India and AstraZeneca. According to data given by AstraZeneca, it is about 76% effective and 100% protection again severe disease and hospitalisation. According to a combined study of the UK, Brazil and South Africa by the medical journal The Lancet, it is 76% effective after the first dose and 90% effective when a half dose is followed by a standard dose. Over 130 countries, including the African Union, Canada, European Union, India, Indonesia, Mali, Morocco, North Korea, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, South Korea, Switzerland and the US, have authorised/approved the vaccine. 

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Sputnik V (rAd26 and rAd5):
Country of Origin: Russia
Dosage: 2 doses given 21 days apart

This recombinant adenovirus vaccine was developed by the Gamaleya Research Institute and the Health Ministry of the Russian Federation. The European Union is reviewing the vaccine. According to The Lancet, the vaccine is 91.6% effective. The vaccine has been approved for use by over 50 countries and produced and purchased by Argentina, Armenia, Brazil, Belarus, China, Israel, India, Korea, Mexico, Malaysia, Serbia, Slovakia and Venezuela. 

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Janssen (JNJ-78436735; Ad26.COV2.S):
Country of Origin: United States
Date of WHO Approval: March 12, 2021
Dosage: Single-dose

This non-replicating viral vector vaccine was developed by Janssen Biotech (Owned by Johnson & Johnson). According to the company, the vaccine is 66% effective overall and 72% effective against moderate or severe disease. The vaccine has been approved for use and purchased by the African Union, European Union, South Africa, the UK, the US and the Gavi Alliance. In April 2021, there were reports of cerebral venous sinus thrombosis (CVST) in only 6 out of 6.8 million people. However, this was listed as a very rare side-effect and the vaccine was deemed fine by the US CDC, US FDA and the European Medicines Agency. 

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CoronaVac
Country of Origin: China
Dosage: Two doses 14-28 days apart

This inactivated vaccine (formalin with alum adjuvant) has been developed by the Chinese firm Sinovac Biotech. The vaccine is currently being reviewed by the WHO, European Union and South Africa. In its Phase 3 trial, the vaccine's efficacy was above 50%. In Brazil, trials found the efficacy to be 50.4%. It has been authorised for use by 35 counties and purchased by Brazil, Chile, China, Colombia, Indonesia, Philippines, Malaysia and Turkey. 

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Comirnaty (BNT162b2)
Country of Origin: Germany
Date of WHO Approval: December 31, 2020
Dosage: Two doses 21 days apart

This mRNA-based vaccine has been developed by BioNTech and Pfizer. Some countries have approved it for being administered to those above the age of 16 or 12. Phase 3 trials published in the NEJM showed 95% efficacy. According to real-world evidence in Israel, published in Eurosurveillance, the efficacy was at 92%. It has been approved for use by over 60 countries and been purchased by the African Union, Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, Costa Rica, EU, Germany, Hong Kong, India, Japan, Jordan, Lebanon, Malaysia, Mexico, New Zealand, South Korea, Switzerland, UK, US.

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BBIBP-CorV
Country of Origin: China
Date of WHO Approval: May 7, 2021
Dosage: Two doses

This inactivated vaccine was developed by the Beijing Institute of Biological Products, which is a subsidiary of China National Biotec Group (CNBG), and Sinopharm. The UAE health ministry, on December 9, announced that the vaccine was 86% effective. It has been approved for use by 56 countries and purchased by China, Egypt, Hungary, Morocco, Pakistan, Senegal and Zimbabwe. 

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Covaxin
Country of Origin: India
Dosage: Two doses

This inactivated vaccine was developed by Bharat Biotech and India's National Institute of Virology. Phase 3 trials, according to the company, showed that the vaccine was 81% effective and 100% effective against severe disease. Besides India, the vaccine has been sought by Botswana, Guatemala, Guyana, India, Iran, Mauritius, Mexico, Myanmar, Nepal, Paraguay, Philippines, Venezuela and Zimbabwe. Brazil has made plans to purchase it. 

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Vaccines only approved and developed by Russia: 

-EpiVacCorona, a peptide vaccine, has been developed by the Federal Budgetary Research Institution State Research Center of Virology and Biotechnology and approved for use by Belarus and Turkmenistan.

-CoviVac, an inactivated vaccine, has developed by Chumakov Federal Scientific Center for Research and Development of Immune and Biological Products. 

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Vaccines only approved and developed by China:

-Convidicea, a recombinant vaccine, developed by CanSino Biologics (also approved by Chile, Hungary, Mexico, Moldova and Pakistan).

-WIBP-CorV, an inactivated vaccine, developed by the Wuhan Institute of Biological Products and Sinopharm.

-ZF2001, an inactivated vaccine, developed by Anhui Zhifei Longcom Biopharmaceutical and the Institute of Microbiology of the Chinese Academy of Sciences (also approved by Uzbekistan).

-Unnamed vaccine developed by Minhai biotechnology Co. and Kangta Biological Products Co. Ltd.