
Vaccines are an important tool in the fight against COVID-19, with the goal of preventing severe disease, hospitalization, and death. While the Moderna vaccine initially showed about 95% efficacy for prevention of COVID, researchers have found that the protection from the initial two-dose series wanes over time. However, booster doses are effective at restoring robust immune system function. A CDC report from 2021 found that the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine was 93% effective against hospitalization, making it the most effective vaccine in this regard when compared to the Pfizer vaccine (88%) and the Johnson & Johnson vaccine (71%).
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Vaccine Name | Moderna |
| Vaccine Type | mRNA |
| Number of Doses | 2 |
| Efficacy Against Hospitalization | 93% |
| Efficacy Against Pfizer | 88% |
| Efficacy Against Johnson & Johnson | 71% |
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What You'll Learn

Moderna vaccine is 93% effective against hospitalization
Vaccines are an important tool in the fight against COVID-19. While the original COVID-19 mRNA vaccines from Pfizer and Moderna protected against the original SARS-CoV-2 virus, they have since been updated multiple times to target different variants. Moderna's COVID-19 vaccine has been found to be 93% effective against hospitalization. This was determined by researchers from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) who compared the efficacy of three COVID-19 vaccines authorized in the U.S.: Moderna, Pfizer-BioNTech, and Johnson & Johnson/Janssen.
The Moderna vaccine has shown high effectiveness in preventing severe disease and hospitalization. In a CDC report published on September 17, 2021, researchers found that among fully vaccinated patients, the Moderna vaccine had the lowest breakthrough infection rate of 11.3%, compared to 17.3% for Pfizer and 32.7% for Johnson & Johnson. This translates to 93% efficacy against hospitalization for Moderna, 88% for Pfizer, and 71% for Johnson & Johnson. The study looked at data from 3,689 adults aged 18 and older who were hospitalized across 18 states between March 11, 2021, and August 15, 2021.
The Moderna vaccine's high efficacy against hospitalization is further supported by antibody level comparisons. In a separate group of healthy volunteers, antibody levels were highest among those who received the Moderna vaccine compared to those who received Pfizer or Johnson & Johnson. This suggests that the Moderna vaccine elicits a robust immune response, providing strong protection against COVID-19 hospitalization.
It is important to note that vaccine effectiveness can wane over time, and booster doses may be necessary to maintain protection. Additionally, while vaccines are highly effective, they do not provide absolute protection, and breakthrough infections can still occur. However, even in cases of infection after vaccination, research suggests a reduced risk of Long COVID compared to unvaccinated individuals.
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Pfizer vaccine is 88% effective
While Moderna's COVID-19 vaccine has proven to be 93% effective against hospitalization, the Pfizer vaccine is 88% effective. The Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine was the first COVID vaccine to receive FDA Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) in December 2020. It was granted full Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval in August 2021 for people ages 16 and older.
Pfizer's vaccine has been updated over time to target new variants of the virus. The original COVID mRNA vaccines from Pfizer and Moderna protected against the original SARS-CoV-2 virus. Since then, the vaccines have been replaced multiple times with shots targeting different iterations of the Omicron strain.
Pfizer's vaccine is 88% effective against the Delta variant, according to a study from England. However, data from Israel suggests lower effectiveness, at 41%. The contradictory results caused confusion in the media. The varying levels of immunity in the subjects of the studies may have influenced the discrepancy in the results.
The effectiveness of the Pfizer vaccine against the Delta variant is likely due to the two-dose series producing a high number of antibodies. The first dose makes the immune system aware of a harmful virus, and the second dose dramatically increases the future immune response. The second dose prompts the body to produce more immune cells, which can then attack the coronavirus in a broader variety of places.
It is important to remember that the word "effective" can have several meanings, making the concept of a vaccine's effectiveness confusing. Figures should be treated as approximate, and the correct figure for the Pfizer vaccine's effectiveness may be unclear due to statistical issues from age groups and waning immunity.
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Johnson & Johnson vaccine is 71% effective
Moderna's COVID-19 vaccine has been found to be 93% effective in preventing hospitalization. This is compared to 88% for the Pfizer vaccine and 71% for the Johnson & Johnson vaccine. While the Moderna vaccine has shown high effectiveness, it is important to note that the protection offered by the initial two-dose series wanes over time, and booster doses are often recommended to restore robust immune system function.
The Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine, also known as the Janssen vaccine, has demonstrated 71% effectiveness in preventing hospitalization. This effectiveness rate was observed in a CDC study conducted among 3,689 adults aged 18 and older across multiple states. The Johnson & Johnson vaccine utilizes a virus-vector platform, which may not elicit as potent an immune response compared to the mRNA vaccines in the short term, but it is known for its strong durability.
While the Johnson & Johnson vaccine has shown effectiveness, it has been linked to rare cases of blood clots with low platelets, a condition called thrombosis with thrombocytopenia syndrome or TTS. Due to this risk, the CDC recommends that in most situations, the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines are preferred over the Johnson & Johnson vaccine. However, the Johnson & Johnson vaccine can still play a role in COVID-19 prevention, especially as a booster shot.
In South Africa, a Phase 3b Sisonke study found that a homologous booster shot of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine demonstrated 85% effectiveness against COVID-19-related hospitalization when the Omicron variant was dominant. The study was conducted among healthcare workers, and the booster shot was administered six to nine months after the primary single dose. This increased effectiveness over time highlights the potential benefit of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine in providing durable protection against severe disease.
The Johnson & Johnson vaccine, with its 71% effectiveness against hospitalization, has shown that it can play a role in the ongoing battle against COVID-19. While it may not have the same initial efficacy as the mRNA vaccines, its durability and strong protection against severe disease are notable advantages. However, it is important to weigh the benefits against the risks of rare adverse events, and further research and recommendations from healthcare providers are essential for informed decision-making.
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Moderna vaccine efficacy against COVID-19
The Moderna COVID-19 vaccine has been found to be highly effective in preventing symptomatic disease and severe illness that could lead to hospitalization and death. Moderna's initial Phase 3 clinical data in December 2020 showed about 95% efficacy in preventing COVID-19 infection. This is similar to the efficacy rates of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine, which also uses mRNA technology.
According to a CDC report published in September 2021, the Moderna vaccine is 93% effective in preventing hospitalization due to COVID-19. This is compared to 88% for the Pfizer vaccine and 71% for Johnson & Johnson. The study looked at data from 3,689 adults aged 18 and older, hospitalized at 21 hospitals across 18 states between March and August 2021. Among the hospitalized patients, 64% were unvaccinated. The report also found that antibody levels were highest among Moderna recipients compared to the other two vaccines.
The Moderna vaccine has been updated over time to target new variants of the SARS-CoV-2 virus. The original COVID-19 mRNA vaccines from Moderna and Pfizer-BioNTech, introduced in December 2020, protected against the original SARS-CoV-2 virus. Since then, the vaccines have been updated multiple times to target different iterations of the Omicron strain. In 2022, bivalent vaccines were developed to target both the original virus and the Omicron variants BA.4 and BA.5. In 2023, a monovalent shot was created to target the XBB lineage of the Omicron variant.
In May 2025, Moderna announced positive late-stage trial results for its mRNA-based flu vaccine, which also demonstrated strong efficacy against major influenza strains. This paves the way for the company's combination flu and COVID-19 jab.
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COVID-19 vaccines protect against severe illness, hospitalization, and death
COVID19 vaccines are designed to protect against severe illness, hospitalization, and death. While vaccinated individuals may still become infected, the vaccines aim to prevent severe disease and its associated complications.
The Moderna COVID-19 vaccine has been found to be highly effective in preventing hospitalization. According to a CDC report published in September 2021, the Moderna vaccine demonstrated 93% efficacy against hospitalization, compared to 88% for the Pfizer vaccine and 71% for the Johnson & Johnson vaccine. The study analyzed COVID-19 cases among fully vaccinated patients and compared antibody levels in blood samples. Moderna vaccine recipients showed a lower infection rate of 11.3%, with 54 infections out of 476 participants, while Pfizer and Johnson & Johnson vaccine recipients had higher infection rates of 17.3% and 32.7%, respectively.
The Moderna vaccine's high efficacy against hospitalization is significant as it reduces the likelihood of vaccinated individuals requiring inpatient care due to COVID-19. This not only alleviates pressure on healthcare systems and resources but also minimizes the personal burden of hospitalization for those affected.
Additionally, COVID-19 vaccines offer robust protection against severe illness and death, particularly for individuals who are moderately or severely immunocompromised. The CDC recommends that this vulnerable group receives updated COVID-19 vaccines to safeguard themselves against severe health outcomes. Vaccination is a crucial tool in mitigating the impact of COVID-19, reducing hospitalizations, and saving lives.
While the Moderna vaccine's initial efficacy data demonstrated its impressive performance, it is important to stay informed about the latest vaccine developments. Vaccine effectiveness can vary over time as new variants emerge and immunity wanes. Staying up to date with recommended vaccine doses and boosters is essential to maintain protection against COVID-19 and its severe consequences.
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Frequently asked questions
The Moderna vaccine is 93% effective against hospitalization.
The study included 3,689 adults aged 18 and older.
No patients with immunocompromising conditions were included in the study.
Among the Moderna vaccine recipients, there were 54 Covid infections among 476 participants, or 11.3%.
The Moderna vaccine is more effective than the Pfizer vaccine (88%) and the Johnson & Johnson vaccine (71%).










































