Which vaccine to get?

[space-time]

They opened up to everyone and it looks like CVS has both Pfizer and Moderna. I need to take a PCR test next week since I traveled recently and then I need to get the shot. Which one to choose? Just 2 weeks ago you had to game the system, now you can get appointments the same day. Supply is soon exceeding demand. Other countries still have supply issues.

[rgG]

Anecdotally, the people I know who got Pfizer had fewer side effects.
Pfizer gets you done a week sooner.
We got Moderna.

[Sarcany]

It's nice to have a choice.

I think Pfizer may have a modest edge against the most common variants and fewer allergic reactions, but I wouldn't turn down either one.

[NewtonMP2100]

.....go get it.....girl.....

[DinerDave]

I had no choice, the vax site had what they had. I ended up with Moderna, my wife had Pfizer from another site. Both kids daughter in VT and son in Virginia got Pfizer.
During a virtual doctor visit a couple months ago I asked my doc what should I try to get. She replied, "The first one is the best one. They are so close to each other, don't worry about it. It's the herd immunity we need."

Dave

[sekker]

Take your pick, both options you are being given are excellent vaccines.

[davester]

I don't think it matters. Both Pfizer and Moderna are mRNA vaccines so they initiate essentially the same mechanism within your body to create immunity. The advantage of Pfizer is that they tested it with a 3-week period between shots whereas Moderna tested with 4 weeks. Since they are following the procedures used during testing, the Pfizer gets you a booster shot a week sooner. Whether this is good or bad is hard to say. From the data available, I'd guess that they both give the same level of immunity. J&J is one shot and you're done, so it has convenience on its side. It also is linked to extremely rare blood clotting. A pro and a con.

Bottom line...it doesn't matter what shot you get. The important thing is that you get one ASAP.

[RgrF]

Bottom line...it doesn't matter what shot you get. The important thing is that you get one ASAP.

As much as it pains me to agree with Dave...

[abevilac]

I got the Pfizer. There is a very small study out of Israel last week that showed the Pfizer shot not doing as well against the South African variant. It hasn’t been peer reviewed yet so there are mostly news articles with the authors out there. I’d say check them out before you decide.

[JoeH]

davester wrote:
It also is linked to extremely rare blood clotting.

So have the other coronavirus vaccines. It is just that the J&J vaccine was associated with a recent cluster, and the clotting events have shown as happening slightly more frequently than with the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines. But all three have it happen much less often than getting COVID-19.