Why do we have 3 vaccines?

[VinterKvinna]

Apart from the need for the Pfizer one to be kept so cold, surely it would be better to have them all making the same one? Then we would have to worry that you got them mixed up for the second jab. (If the 3rd one needs 2)

I suppose on a plus side you won't have to worry so much about running out of raw materials...

**wouldn't of course

Lots of companies started work on vaccines, urgently, at the same point, when covid was first identified. We had no idea of knowing which one would work, or indeed if any of them would work. Nor was it known what the individual characteristics of each vaccine would be, in terms of therapeutic success.

We still don't really know whether different vaccines will suit particular population groups better over time as they are all so new, and this knowledge will come with time and use.

Surely every company with the capacity will want to cash in on this!

There are many many reasons. Having multiple vaccines available is a good thing. Less supply problems being the main positive.

Because they've all taken different approaches to creating a vaccine.

Well, which would you choose if we can only have one?

Pfizer/Biontech was the first to be available and seems to give a much better rate of protection with its first jab. I would prefer this one. However, no-one who has suffered anaphylaxis can have the Pfizer/Biontech jab. That means anyone who carries a Epi-pen can't have it.

Then we would have to worry that you got them mixed up for the second jab. (If the 3rd one needs 2)
Are we really that stupid that we can't maintain accurate medical records?

It is AMAZING that there's so many vaccines - it will mean a greater supply and much better to have at least three useable ones than none which could have been the case. It may even bring this pandemic to an end much quicker.

It will be interesting to see in years to come which one/ones becomes the favoured one and why.

Many companies have put a lot of time and effort into this. It's only fair that they can reap some reward in terms of earnings from supplying it.

3 companies can make a million vaccines easier and quicker than one company can make three million vaccines.

They won’t get mixed up for the second jab, there is a medicines management process to ensure this doesn’t happen.

I’ve had my first jab. My record of this is online. My second appt was booked at the time of the first and the appt clearly says which vaccine I’m due. The clinic I’m going back to is only doing Pzifer. I have a covid passport which I have to take back with me which again says which one I’ve had.

Because science is awesome.

To not have all our eggs in one basket, basically...

Governments had to place their orders very early, way before any efficacy or safety trials had been conducted, to reserve stock.

And it's of course going to help with getting enough supply in as there are only X number of places manufacturing each one.

There are literally thousands of vaccines in development. The vaccine roadshow has. just begun.

Hundreds of different pharma companies started developing them, and rather than keeping all eggs in same basket the government ordered at least 5. Imagine only one was developed and it didn’t work? Government had to make a punt on which ones to order well before they knew they were going to be effective, so it would have been daft to just go for one

That’s like asking why do Sainsbury’s, ASDA and Tesco all make different biscuits can’t they make exactly the same things?

These companies are primarily profit making. They exist to make money, and wouldn’t exist if they weren’t. That’s greedy global capitalism for you.

They have to vaccinate pretty much the whole world! The more choices, the more production lines the better

Speeds up supply, if someone is allergic to a particular one then there is an alternative etc. It’s great.

However, no-one who has suffered anaphylaxis can have the Pfizer/Biontech jab. That means anyone who carries a Epi-pen can't have it.

As an aside - good news: this is no longer the case. It’s fine unless you are allergic to the other ingredients.

Different vaccines are suitable for different people. Some can’t have one type of vaccine due to allergies. Some live in remote areas so can’t have a vaccine that needs extremely cold refrigeration. Some live in poor countries so need a cheaper vaccine. And as different variants develop we may find that one vaccine works better than others. Plus it means there are numerous supply chains producing vaccines so we’re not reliant on just one.

@tilder

Because science is awesome.

Yes!!

I think we actually have six on order altogether, OP.

What a good problem to have.

Why do we have umpteen brands of cola
Hundred of makes of car 🤔
Because they are different companies making a profit

Because no research group knew which vaccine candidate would work. It's helpful as:

1. it looks like the Pfizer is less suitable for some care homes and housebound due to kinetic stability issues though the new protocols today which may change seem to be problematic for housebound for the AstraZeneca too.
2. most of the early successful candidates have targeted the spike protein and, though it seems the vaccines act acceptably for the UK and SA fast spreading variants, it's helpful that I think at least one vaccine is targetting other viral components in case of further mutant escapees.

@VinterKvinna

Apart from the need for the Pfizer one to be kept so cold, surely it would be better to have them all making the same one? Then we would have to worry that you got them mixed up for the second jab. (If the 3rd one needs 2)

I suppose on a plus side you won't have to worry so much about running out of raw materials...

How many tablets out there cure aches and pains? Countless.

Why isnt there just "one" brand?

Same logic.

More vaccines the merrier and the quicker this nightmare can end.