Both the Moderna and Pfizer COVID-19 vaccines are messenger ribonucleic acid (mRNA) vaccines — a relatively new type of vaccine technology.
These COVID-19 vaccines work by providing our cells with instructions for making a SARS-CoV-2 protein. Our immune system then reacts to these proteins and develops the tools to respond to any infection with the virus in the future.
Scientists from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) have found that both the Moderna and Pfizer vaccines are very effective at protecting people from COVID-19.
CDC Director Dr. Rochelle P. Walensky points to “accumulating evidence that mRNA COVID-19 vaccines are effective and should prevent most infections.” She adds that “Fully vaccinated people who still get COVID-19 are likely to have milder, shorter illness and appear to be less likely to spread the virus to others.”
“These benefits are another important reason to get vaccinated.”
