Differences in Global Scientific Production Between New mRNA and Conventional Vaccines Against COVID-19

Abstract

The search for effective vaccines to stop the COVID-19 pandemic has led to an unprecedented amount of global scientific production and activity. This study aimed to analyze global scientific production on the different vaccine types (mRNA and conventional) that were validated for COVID-19 during the years 2020-2021. The scientific production generated on COVID-19 vaccines during the period 2020-2021 totaled the enormous amount of 20,459 studies published. New mRNA vaccines clearly showed higher production levels than conventional vaccines (viral and inactivated vectors), with 786 and 350 studies, respectively. The USA is the undisputed leader in the global production on COVID-19 vaccines, with Israel and Italy also playing an important role. Among the journals publishing works in this field, the New England Journal of Medicine , the British Medical Journal , and Vaccines stand out from the rest as the most important. The keyword ‘immunogenicity’ and its derivatives have been more researched for the new mRNA vaccines, while thrombosis has been more studied for conventional vaccines. The massive scientific production generated on COVID-19 vaccines in only two years has shown the enormous gravity of the pandemic and the extreme urgency to find a solution. This high scientific production and the main keywords found for the mRNA vaccines indicate the great potential that these vaccines have against COVID-19 and future infectious diseases. Moreover, this study provides valuable information for guiding future research lines and promoting international collaboration for an effective solution. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s11356-022-21553-8.

Extracellular Vesicle-Based SARS-CoV-2 Vaccine

“…Nonetheless, booster vaccination is recommended, as the protective effect diminishes over time. While many COVID-19 vaccines are being developed around the world, at present, the main vaccines are mRNA- and viral vector-based vaccines [ 99 , 100 , 101 , 102 , 103 , 104 , 105 , 106 , 107 , 108 , 109 , 110 , 111 , 112 , 113 , 114 , 115 , 116 ]. Vaccine development is progressing using various methods, including conventional inactivated and recombinant protein vaccines.…”

“…The components of pathogens used in previous inactivated vaccines were mainly proteins and polysaccharides, whereas the COVID-19 vaccine (Pfizer and Moderna) used mRNA. Genetic vaccines, such as mRNA vaccines and viral vector vaccines, have the advantage of being put into practical use quickly, and are useful in pandemic scenarios requiring urgency [ 99 , 100 , 101 , 102 , 103 , 104 , 105 , 106 , 107 , 108 , 109 , 110 , 111 , 112 , 113 , 114 , 115 , 116 ]. mRNA vaccines using the S protein present on the surface of SARS-CoV-2 have been developed and have shown promising results.…”

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“…Different COV-ID-19 vaccines have been developed. COVID-19 vaccines are commonly administered intramuscularly in the upper arm at determined intervals in at least two shots [2,4]. As with any other vaccines, COVID-19 vaccine may cause side effects, the most common being local pain and inflammation at the injection site, fatigue, headaches, fever, chills, and muscle and joint pains, often registered after the first administration, also depending on the vaccine type and individual responsivity [2,[5][6][7][8][9][10][11][12][13][14][15][16].…”

COVID‐19 post‐vaccination lymphadenopathy: A review of the use of fine needle aspiration cytology

“…1,2 COVID-19 vaccines have been demonstrated to be safe and effective; however, some adverse effects have been reported. 1,2 Different COVID-19 vaccines have been developed, 2,3 and most of them are administered by intramuscular injection in alternate arms 2 at determined intervals via at least two shots. As with any other vaccine, [4][5][6][7][8][9][10][11][12][13][14] the COVID-19 vaccine may cause side effects, 1,15 the most common being local pain and inflammation at the injection site, followed by headache, fatigue, chills, myalgia, arthralgia, fever, dizziness, nausea, and vomiting, often registered after the first administration; these effects depend on the vaccine type and individual responsivity.…”