Both Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna COVID-19 vaccines are messenger RNA (mRNA) vaccines while Sinovac uses inactivated vaccine technology. Let’s break down the difference between these 2 types of vaccines.
mRNA vaccines use only fragments of the virus’ genetic material to make a specific protein that mimics the spike protein that is found on the virus (the key part of the virus). This trains your body to recognise, respond and build antibodies against the virus, thus neutralising and preventing the COVID-19 disease.
Inactivated vaccine technology uses weakened or inactive viral particles to stimulate your body to produce an immune response to the COVID-19 virus. This means the virus can no longer replicate even if the spike protein is still intact.