The European Medicines Agency (EMA) and the Italian Medicines Agency (AIFA) have authorised two COVID-19 viral vector vaccines.

Viral vector vaccines use a virus (usually an adenovirus that is unable to replicate) to deliver into the cells in the body the genetic sequence encoding for the spike protein. The person’s immune system triggers a response against such protein and produces antibodies. When the person comes into contact with the virus, such antibodies will protect them from the infection.

The COVID-19 viral vector vaccines authorised by EMA and AIFA are Vaxzevria Vaccine and Jcovden (ex COVID-19 Vaccine Janssen).