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April 20, 2021 In Italy there are 4 anti-Covid vaccines already on track for the immunization campaign: that of Pfizer-Biontech, that of the US company Moderna, the vaccine of AstraZeneca 'Vaxzevria' and that of Johnson & Johnson ready to exit 'Italian hub after the pronouncement of the EMA, which today judged possible the cause-effect link between the vaccine and rare thrombosis events reported in the USA while noting that the benefits of this drug outweigh the risks.



In Italy, the Ministry of Health and Aifa have given an indication for the use of this vaccine for the over-60 range, the same indication also given for the AstraZeneca vaccine which uses a viral vector platform like that of J&J. But many others are vaccines under study or at an advanced stage of testing, such as the Italian ReiThera which could be available from autumn. Two further vaccines, however, are the closest to the green light from the European Medicines Agency (Ema): Curevac and NovaVax. The Russian Sputnik is also being examined by the EMA.



Different technological platforms used by different vaccines: the most innovative is the one with messenger RNA (mRNA), while others use viral vectors. Here's how vaccines work:



- ASTRAZENECA: according to the latest indications recommended for people over 60 years old. It is based on viral vector technology: a virus similar to SarsCov2 but


not aggressive (a chimpanzee adenovirus) is used to which genetic information is added that should alert the body's immune response. In this case, the adenovirus carries SarsCov2's Spike protein, which is the molecular claw used by the virus to latch onto healthy cells and invade them. Two doses are planned


12 weeks

apart

.



- JOHNSON & JOHNSON: also like AstraZeneca it will be used for the over 60s. Like AstraZeneca it is a viral vector vaccine. It has the great advantage of being single-dose and does not require a booster. It can be stored in the fridge without freezing.



- PFIZER-BIONTECH (COMIRNATY): for people aged 16 and over. It uses an innovative technology, that of messenger RNA. This technique consists in using the sequence of the genetic material of the new coronavirus, namely ribonucleic acid (Rna), which represents the molecular messenger that contains the instructions for building the proteins of the virus. The goal is to directly administer the mRna that controls the production of a protein against which the immune system reacts. In this case the protein is the Spike. Two doses are planned three weeks apart.



- MODERN: for people aged 18 and over, it also uses messenger RNA technology. Two doses are planned 4 weeks apart. According to the most recent data


published in the New England Journal of Medicine, induced antibodies persist 6 months after the second dose.



- CUREVAC: it is a German vaccine also with mRNA. It always has two doses and can be stored at normal refrigerator temperature. He's on the Ema exam.



- NOVAVAX: This is an American protein-based vaccine containing tiny particles obtained from a laboratory version of the Spike protein. It also contains an 'adjuvant', a substance that helps strengthen immune responses to the vaccine. Once the vaccine is injected, the immune system will recognize the protein particles as


foreign and respond by producing the antibodies. It involves two doses. He's on the Ema exam.



- SPUTNIK: it is composed of two different viruses that belong to the adenovirus family, Ad26 and Ad5. These adenoviruses have been modified to contain the


Spike protein

gene

. They are unable to reproduce in the body and do not cause disease. The two adenoviruses are injected separately: Ad26 is used in the first dose and Ad5 in the booster.