The study by the US Food and Drug Administration (CDC) has compared the protective effect, in the case of serious illness, after 120 days.
After 120 days, the effect of Pfizer's covid vaccine had decreased from 91 percent to 77 percent, while the protection from Moderna had only fallen from 93 percent to 92 percent.
Vaccine Coordinator: Good protection with Pfizer
Sweden's vaccine coordinator Richard Bergström calls the study important and well done, but thinks that one should keep in mind that Pfizer's protection after 120 days, 77 percent, is actually a very good protection.
- But it will go down then.
That is why the discussion about a third dose becomes so interesting.
Richard Bergström points out that Moderna's vaccine has a larger dose of mRNA molecules and that this may be the explanation behind the difference between the vaccines, which are otherwise very similar.
- It seems that there is at least a small difference in the short term, but I do not think it plays a major role over time and especially not when you give doses again.
He does not think you need to be more careful if you have received Pfizer's vaccine.
- I do not think so, if you are fully vaccinated, there are clear recommendations for how to behave in society.
"Speaks for a third dose"
Matti Sällberg, vaccine researcher and co-owner of the company Svenska Vaccinfabriken, which produces vaccines, also thinks that the study shows how good the protection is at the beginning of both vaccines.
- Then they sound a little different, says Matti Sällberg, and adds that he thinks the study strengthens the idea that you need to give a third dose 6-12 months after you are fully vaccinated.
- A little grand speaks for a third dose.
Then you will get a much better protection and it may be more long-lasting.