What are the COVID-19 vaccines approved to enter the US?

After making it known that The United States will open its borders Land with Mexico and Canada since November 1, 2021, many citizens already prepare suitcases to travel to the North American country, either for tourism or visiting a relative. If you are vaccinated against COVID-19 and you think that you will be able to enter without problems, you are wrong; since access to this nation will only be obtained by people who have been immunized with one of the vaccines that were approved by the World Health Organization (WHO).

MORE INFORMATION: Which countries are already applying the third dose against the coronavirus?

Next, we detail which are the vaccines validated by the agency of the United Nations (UN) specialized in managing prevention, promotion and intervention policies worldwide in health. Before we remind you that, in the face of the coronavirus pandemic, The United States closed its borders since March 2020 for millions of travelers from the European Union, the United Kingdom or China, later from India and Brazil; as well as visitors arriving by land from Canada and Mexico.

WHAT ARE THE VACCINES AGAINST COVID-19 TO ENTER THE US?

The head of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (SRE) of Mexico, Marcelo Ebrard Casaubón, pointed out that entry to the US will be exclusively for those who are inoculated against COVID-19. “The basis of global mobility will be vaccination (…) All vaccines approved by the World Health Organization, the United States will accept”he said at a press conference. The list of vaccines against the coronavirus validated to enter the North American country is as follows:

MODERN

The Moderna vaccine is a messenger RNA (mRNA) vaccine against COVID 19 disease. Recipient cells are instructed by mRNA to synthesize the SARS-CoV-2 singular S antigen protein, allowing the body to generate a response immune and retain that information in immune memory cells.

On April 30, 2021, the WHO included Moderna’s vaccine on the list for use in emergencies. It has been shown to be approximately 94.1% effective in protecting against COVID-19, from 14 days after the first dose. For more information provided by the Pan American Health Organization CLICK HERE.

PFIZER

The Pfizer vaccine is a messenger RNA (mRNA) vaccine against COVID-19 disease). The mRNA causes the cell to produce S antigen proteins (a part of the SARS-CoV-2 specific spicular protein) to stimulate an immune response.

On December 31, 2020, WHO authorized the listing of Pfizer BioNTech’s vaccine against COVID-19 for emergency use. The WHO has thoroughly evaluated the quality, safety and efficacy of this vaccine and has recommended its administration to people over 16 years of age. It is 95% effective against symptomatic SARS-CoV-2 infection. For more information provided by the Pan American Health Organization CLICK HERE.

SINOVAC

The use of the CoronaVac vaccine against COVID-19, manufactured by Sinovac / China National Pharmaceutical Group, is also validated by the WHO. In a large international phase III trial conducted in Brazil, it was observed that the administration of two doses, separated by an interval of 14 days, protects with an efficacy of 51% against symptomatic infection by SARS-CoV-2.

Regarding the prevention of severe COVID-19 and hospitalization 14 days after administering the second dose, the efficacy of the vaccine was 100%. For more information provided by the Pan American Health Organization CLICK HERE.

OXFORD/ASTRAZENECA

The Oxford / AstraZeneca vaccine was validated by the WHO, being considered safe, it was granted a conditional marketing authorization for people aged 18 years and over.

The AZD1222 vaccine against COVID-19 was reported to be 63.09% effective against symptomatic SARS-CoV-2 infection. Longer dose intervals within the 8 to 12 week range are associated with greater vaccine efficacy. For more information provided by the Pan American Health Organization CLICK HERE.

SINOPHARM

The use of the Sinopharm vaccine has been recommended for its safety and efficacy. A large phase 3 trial in several countries has shown that 2 doses, given 21 days apart, are 79% effective against symptomatic SARS-CoV-2 infection 14 or more days after the second dose.

The WHO Strategic Advisory Group of Experts (SAGE) recommends its use in 2 doses (0.5 ml) administered intramuscularly. If the second dose is given less than 3 weeks after the first, there is no need to repeat the dose. If the administration of the second dose is delayed for more than 4 weeks, it should be administered as soon as possible. It is recommended that all vaccinated people receive two doses. For more information provided by the Pan American Health Organization CLICK HERE.

JOHNSON & JOHNSON

Johnson & Johnson’s Janssen vaccine is safe and has therefore been recommended for use. Janssen’s Ad26.CoV2.S vaccine has been shown to be 85.4% effective in preventing severe COVID-19 disease and 93.1% efficacy in hospitalization, 28 days after administration.

Clinical trials have shown that the administration of one dose of this vaccine protects against moderate to severe symptomatic SARS-CoV-2 infection with an efficacy of 66.9%. For more information provided by the Pan American Health Organization CLICK HERE.

WHY WERE THESE VACCINES VALIDATED BY WHO?

For these six vaccines to be validated by the WHO, their manufacturers had to provide information from their clinical trials. This consisted of two stages:

APPROVAL BY A NATIONAL REGULATORY AUTHORITY

The national regulatory authorities analyzed, based on the data provided by the manufacturers, the safety and efficacy to prevent the coronavirus.

INCLUSION IN THE WHO LIST FOR EMERGENCY USE

WHO authorizes vaccines after a comprehensive risk-based procedure, treatments and in vitro diagnostics for which no licenses have been issued. By being included in the list, their availability and use is accelerated.