Below is a genuine request wanting information. There are folks on this thread who are better at data research than me.
1. Current studies regarding vaccinated people getting; asymptomatic, mild symptoms, and hospitalizations. Some data I've seen suggests Pfizer is only about 40% effective in preventing Delta Covid but 88% effective in preventing hospitalizations.
2.
3. Degradation of Vaccine over time. My main concern.
4. Degradation Comparison of two mrna vaccines. Seems that Pfizer may degrade faster than Moderna.
I have the pfizer Vaccine and the Israeli experience has me a bit concerned. Thanks in advance.
1. Vaccines do not prevent contraction of a virus. They train the immune system to recognize and fight the virus. That training kicks in after the targeted virus is contracted. This is the way that all vaccines to viruses work. Most people are not aware of this.
How successfully that a vaccinated immune system fights the virus is dependent on multiple factors;
A. How strong of an immune response was developed and how well it is maintained. (Additional doses help)
B. How strong the the immune system is.
C. How much viral material was transferred. Starting with a large amount of viral material is likely to result in a faster and more severe illness. (Masks help)
D. How similar the attacking virus is to that vaccinated against.
Since anyone with adequate exposure will contract the virus what matters is how many vaccinated people develop severe illness.
Most who are vaccinated will beat the virus before showing sufficient symptoms to be tested.
My state of Arkansas has lead the US in delta infections. More than 97% of our infections are delta. Currently 86% of our active CoVID cases are among the 51.5% of the state that is unvaccinated. In that data the unvaccinated are roughly 6 times more likely to test positive than the vaccinated.
2. Was covered well in a previous response.
It is likely that the vaccinated are having equal amounts of exposure and contraction but most instances do not result in sufficient symptoms to be tested or become contagious. But when a vaccinated person has a weak immune system or receives a sufficient volume of viral material to overwhelm their immune system they will reach a point of being contagious.
We are seeing reports of vaccinated people becoming contagious. We are not seeing reports of a large percentage of vaccinated people becoming contagious. This is expected, those with the weakest immune systems are primarily among the vaccinated.
3. Vaccinated people will have some advantage over the virus for an extended period of time. Boosters or small exposures to the virus will extend and strengthen immune response. Coronaviruses mutate more slowly than influenza. Coronavirus vaccines are likely to beneficial for longer.
You can have your antibody response tested if you are concerned.
4. My understanding is that Moderna doses contain more mRNA which could result in developing a larger and longer lasting immune response. It also is likely to explain more frequently reported post study adverse effects.
I am not aware of any head to head testing of the two mRNA vaccines. I read the study publications not the press who often misinterpret the research. Looking at headlines it appears that the press like to attract attention by suggesting that one is better.
Both mRNA vaccines are highly effective and incredibly safe. Each of my family members took the first that was available. That was to be wasted Moderna for me before I would have otherwise qualified and Pfizer for the rest of my family.
At best it is a weak argument against vaccines to suggest the ability of vaccinated people to transmit covid people discount the benefit.
