Types of Vaccines
There are currently three vaccines approved or authorized for emergency use in the United States: Pfizer, Moderna, and Johnson & Johnson. All three vaccines are highly effective at protecting people from getting seriously ill from COVID, and all have been extensively tested to ensure their safety. They work with the immune system in different ways, and have different requirements for how they are stored and administered. Additional vaccines are currently in the testing and authorization process, and may become available in the U.S. in the future.
Testing & Monitoring
All vaccines, including COVID-19 vaccines, must go through extensive testing and monitoring before they are authorized for use. The three COVID-19 vaccines currently available in the United States – from Pfizer, Moderna, and Johnson & Johnson – have been evaluated first in labs, and then in clinical trials with tens of thousands of participants from diverse background to ensure they meet rigorous safety standards. The CDC and FDA also have specialized teams continually monitoring vaccine information to quickly detect and respond to any emerging issues or concerns.