June 3, 2021

Efficacy and Safety of COVID-19 Vaccines: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Clinical Trials

Category: Article Summary

Topic: Vaccines and Immunity

Keywords (Tags): adverse events, vaccine effectiveness, vaccines

• In a systematic review and meta-analysis of 25 randomized trials assessing safety and efficacy of COVID-19 vaccines, mRNA-based (e.g., Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna) and adenovirus-vectored (e.g., Oxford-AstraZeneca, Johnson & Johnson, Sputnik V) vaccines had the highest efficacy in phase 2/3 trials (94.6% and 80.2%, respectively). The mRNA-based vaccines had the highest level of side effects reported, except for diarrhea and joint pain (arthralgia). All vaccines stimulated robust immune responses. Among 58,889 participants who received a COVID-19 vaccine and 46,638 controls who received a placebo included in the analysis, few extreme adverse effects were observed.

Pormohammad et al. (May 6, 2021). Efficacy and Safety of COVID-19 Vaccines: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Clinical Trials. Vaccines. https://doi.org/10.3390/vaccines9050467