Surviving the Pandemic: Should I Get the COVID-19 Vaccine?

COVID-19 vaccine is the fastest vaccine developed in history. As early as 1000CE, there is evidence that the Chinese dabbled in “variolation” to develop immunity from smallpox.

HISTORY OF VACCINE DEVELOPMENT:

Modern day vaccines date back to the 18th century when Edward Jenner developed the smallpox vaccine. In this case, Jenner, in 1796 injected a young boy with pus from a milkmaid’s cowpox blister in order to immunize the boy against smallpox. This vaccination method is referred to as live attenuated vaccines.

Following Edward Jenner’s smallpox vaccine, in the 19th century Louis Pasteur developed live-attenuated vaccines for cholera and rabies. During the 19th century vaccines, the major advances were that vaccines could be developed in a laboratory.

During the 20th century, vaccine research and development saw rapid advances. Not only were vaccines made from live-attenuated infectious organisms and killed-inactivated organisms, but also made from purified proteins. Vaccinations become common for many diseases such a measles, mumps, and rubella. In particular the 20th century is known for Jonas Salk’s polio vaccine, which ultimately irradicated polio.

Now the 21st century introduces a major breakthrough in vaccines using molecular genetics, namely mRNA and DNA based vaccines. COVID-19 vaccines are essentially the first widespread vaccination program using this revolutionary technology.

COVID-19 FAST TRACK DEVELOPMENT

Since this corona virus vaccine was developed so rapidly, one may be concerned about safety. Due to the monumental advances in science and technology, “fast track” doesn’t mean that the process is skipping any critical steps.

Significantly, the coding of the genetic sequence of COVID-19 propelled the development of the development of a number of molecular-based vaccines. In addition, during a pandemic there is just so much disease present, there is more opportunity to test it. Therefore, both the dramatic advances in science and the pandemic, allowed for the rapid development of vaccines. As a result, in this case, fast track is due to the intense focus given to vaccine needed worldwide.

TIMELINE OF THE DEVELOPMENT OF A VACCINE?

Phase I: Evaluates vaccine safety and its ability to induce an immune response in a small group of people

Phase II: Focuses on developing the right dosages level.

Phase III: The final step before FDA approval, thousands of people to determine safety and efficacy.

COMMON QUESTION IS CAN I CATCH THE VIRUS FROM THE VACCINE?

The answer is NO! Although you may experience side effects due to your body’s immune response, you can not catch COVID from the vaccine.

To better understand and allay any fears, let’s go over the different types of vaccines:

CONVENTIONAL VACCINES:

LIVE-ATTENUATED VACCINES:

These vaccines are based on live, weakened versions of the virus. Therefore, these vaccines could potentially cause people with weakened immune systems to catch the virus and get sick. Despite this fact, these vaccines are commonly used in medicine. In particular, these vaccines usually create a strong, lifetime immunity against the disease. For example, smallpox, chickenpox and measles, mumps, rubella are live-attenuated vaccines.

INACTIVATED KILLED WHOLE GERM VACCINES:

Since these vaccines are created with killed versions of the disease-causing agent, the immunity is not as strong. Therefore, you have to get booster shots to maintain immunity. Since these this vaccine is based on dead infectious agents, you cannot develop the actual disease. Examples of this type of vaccine is Hepatitis A and the common flu shot

SUBUNIT, RECOMBINANT, POLYSACCHARIDE AND CONJUGATE VACCINES:

You cannot catch the disease from these vaccines. This is because these vaccines use only a specific piece of the infectious agent that the immune system can recognize. Therefore, one often needs booster shots for ongoing protection. Common vaccines that use this technology are Hepatitis B, HPV, whooping cough, pneumococcal disease, meningococcal disease and shingles.

TOXOID VACCINES:

What distinguishes these vaccines is that the vaccine creates immunity to a poison made by the infectious agent, rather than the germ itself. Unlike pneumonia or flu in which the infectious agent causes the disease, these diseases are due to toxins made by the infectious agent. Examples of these vaccines are Diphtheria and Tetanus. Similar to other types of vaccines, you often need booster shots to maintain protection.

NEW ERROR IN VACINOLOGY:

In the last decades there have been major advances in medicine overall. Significantly, there is a new era in vaccine development based on DNA and mRNA.

Although, not previously used for disease vaccinations in humans, mRNA and DNA technology has been widely researched over the past twenty years. As a matter of fact, mRNA vaccines have induced potent immunity in animal models for viruses such as influenza and Zika. In addition, mRNA vaccine technology has been studies in human clinical trials for cancer.

MODERNA & PFIZER mRNA COVID-19 VACCINES:

Since the two major Moderna and Pfizer COVID-19 vaccines are based on mRNA technology, we will go over how these vaccines work. We will briefly go over the underlying science, which will answer common concerns and fears regarding this new mRNA technology.

HOW mRNA VACCINES WORK:

First, the entire genetic code for COVID-19 virus was published in January 2020. Subsequently, the part of the RNA code for the specific spike protein found on the outside of the coronavirus was isolated. Next, this code segment was synthesized into mRNA. On the basis of this synthesized mRNA fragment, the vaccines were developed.

In contrast to conventional subunit vaccines that gives you the actual spike protein, mRNA vaccines give your body the genetic-code recipe for your own cells to manufacture the coronavirus spike protein. In other words, these two mRNA vaccines do not give you the spike protein. Rather, they give you the mRNA, from which your body makes the spike protein. In response, your body then recognizes this protein as foreign, and makes antibodies and immune cells. Consequently, you develop immunity against future infection with COVID-19 virus. Finally, if later exposed to the virus, your body has the immunity to attack the virus and prevent infection.

CONCERNS: DO THESE mRNA VACCINES ALTER MY DNA?

When you start hearing about mRNA and DNA vaccines, a common concern may be whether the vaccine will change your DNA?

First, this mRNA does not last long in your body, only a couple of days at most. Therefore, you do not have to worry about you body continuously producing this spike protein. The piece of mRNA self-destructs rapidly.

Secondly, the mRNA never enters the nucleus of your cells which contains your DNA. Furthermore, this mRNA never integrates into your own genetic code. Therefore, the mRNA COVID-19 vaccines DO NOT alter your genetic code.

ADVANTAGES OF mRNA VACCINES OVER CONVENTIONAL AND DNA VACCINES?

1. SAFETY

mRNA vaccines are non-infectious, so you can not get the disease from the vaccine

There is no mercury or foreign ingredients in these vaccines

You don’t have to worry about egg allergies as you may with other vaccines

In contrast to DNA vaccines, mRNA does not alter your genetic codes.

2. PRODUCTION

Unlike conventional vaccines, mRNA vaccines can be manufactured more rapidly and at a much lower cost. Therefore, these factors are a major advantage when we are facing a world-wide pandemic.

WHY DO I NEED TWO DOSES?

Most of the vaccines being developed for COVID-19 require two doses for optimum, strong immunity. The first dose kind of "primes" the system. After a few weeks, the second dose revs up the body's immune system sort of reminding the body that it should pay attention to this virus if it sees it again.

WHAT ARE THE SIDE EFFECTS?

Actually, the most common side effects are a sign that the vaccine is working and your immune system is fighting the virus. The common side effects are injection site redness and pain, fatigue, muscle and joint pain, and headache. Rarely, severe allergic reactions have been reported. This is why it is important to be monitored for about 15 minutes after receiving the vaccine.

SURVIVING THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC

In summary, the technology is new, but it has been well tested. You need to decide for yourself the benefits of the vaccine protecting you from the coronavirus, versus, what seems to be, very small risks.

Even with the vaccine, one still has to exercise caution and handwashing etc. No medicine or vaccine is one hundred percent effects. Also, we do not know how long the immunity from the vaccine will last. In addition, the COVID-19 seems to be mutating. So far, it seems that Moderna and Pfizer COVID-19 vaccines will also be effective against the new corona strains.

The vaccine is only one part of protecting yourself from the virus. Boosting your overall health and optimizing your immune system is key to surviving the pandemic. All vaccines work by stimulating your body to develop immunity to protect you from future infections. Therefore, a strong immune system is essential to mounting a strong immune response as a result of the vaccine. Also, a strong immune system will protect you if exposed to the virus as well.

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