Independent Study Reviews Safety and Efficacy of Pfizer and Moderna COVID-19 Vaccines
NEW YORK, Aug. 18, 2021 – Seeking to enable health care providers and community leaders to become champions for the COVID-19 vaccines in order to reduce vaccine hesitancy within their communities, researchers assessed the safety and efficacy of the vaccines in an article published in the Journal of Pediatric Health Care.
Both Pfizer (based in New York) and Moderna (based in Cambridge, Mass.) conducted randomized control trials (RCTs) and the researchers conducted a rigorous analysis of the two RCTs using the Critical Appraisal Skills Programme (CASP) Checklist. The analysis outcomes found that both RCTs were rigorously conducted, which supports the safety and efficacy of both vaccines.
In addition, the researchers conducted an analysis of the reporting of these RCTs using the CONSORT checklist and found that both Pfizer and Moderna vaccine RCT articles included the necessary details for reporting an RCT except for not including RCT in the title.
“Our rigorous analysis of the methodology for the RCTs conducted by both the Pfizer and Moderna for their COVID-19 vaccines provides the foundation and rationale for all health care providers to strongly support acceptance of these COVID-19 vaccines for themselves and by all of their patients, families, and community members,” said study co-author Donna Hallas, PhD, PPCPNP-BC, CPNP, PMHS, FAANP, FAAN. “All nurse practitioners should strongly advocate for community acceptance of these vaccines. It is the only way to save lives, reduce disease burden, and conquer the COVID-19 pandemic. Let our voices be resonant and strong!”
The researchers believed that the analysis was an essential component of the distribution process to develop plans and communication strategies to reduce potential vaccine hesitancy and resistance.
“This manuscript was a great exercise in using critical appraisal tools and reporting guidelines and serves as an exemplar of the process for others to learn and better understand,” said study lead author Regena Spratling, PhD, RN, APRN, CPNP. “It also confirms safety and efficacy of the vaccines based on published scientific approaches and data which is much needed to address the overwhelming vaccine hesitancy and refusal for these critical vaccines.”
The study was published in the July/August edition of the Journal of Pediatric Health Care and can be accessed here.
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The National Association of Pediatric Nurse Practitioners (NAPNAP) is the nation’s only professional association for pediatric-focused advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs) dedicated to improving the quality of health care for infants, children, adolescents and young adults. Representing more than 8,000 healthcare practitioners with 18 special interest groups and 53 chapters, NAPNAP has been advocating for children’s health since 1973 and was the first APRN society in the U.S. Our mission is to empower pediatric-focused advanced practice registered nurses and key partners to optimize child and family health. www.NAPNAP.org
