TECHNOLOGY, EFFICACY AND ADVERSE EFFECTS OF COVID-19 VACCINES AVAILABLE IN BRAZIL

Abstract

This article sought to describe the technologies and highlight data regarding the effectiveness and adverse effects of the COVID-19 vaccines available in Brazil to date, as well as the challenges encountered for this immunization in the country. Initially, mass immunization of COVID-19 had proven to be a challenge in Brazil due to a series of factors such as the large population and particularities in vaccine storage. CoronaVac consists of an inactivated virus vaccine, with an overall effectiveness of 50%. AstraZeneca is composed of a viral vector that carries a gene from the new Coronavirus, and has a reported efficacy of 70.4%. The vaccine developed by Pfizer, most recently approved, has mRNA technology and an overall efficacy of 95%. According to all the studies analyzed, the main adverse reactions reported were pain at the injection site, fever and headache. Even with different technologies, it is possible to infer the effectiveness of these vaccines in terms of reducing the rate of hospitalization due to COVID-19 and tolerability of adverse effects. It is recommended that new studies be carried out to encourage and increase discussion about strategies to combat SARS-CoV-2.