The COVID Vaccine, Explained.

Understanding the COVID Vaccine

What is the vaccine and how does it work?

What vaccines are available?

Currently, we have two vaccines available (in the United States). The first is the Pfizer (BioNTech) vaccine; this vaccine involves two doses, spaced three weeks apart. The second is the Moderna vaccine; this vaccine also involves two doses, spaced three weeks apart. Both Pfizer and Moderna are “mRNA” vaccines. Both vaccines are effective two weeks after receiving both doses. Both vaccines are administered to the upper arm of choice.

What are the efficacy rates?

Based on clinical trial data, the efficacy rate was approximately 95% for both Pfizer and Moderna. To be noted, that the vaccines were tried in the United States prior to approval (not abroad).

Could I experience an allergic reaction?

Potential allergic reactions are possible, if one has them to eggs, latex, or vaccine preservatives (to keep the vaccine frozen). Allergic reactions were noted in under .01% of the clinical trial population. Specifically, one in 22,000 people experienced an allergic reaction during the clinical trials. These typically occurred during the first 15-30 minutes post-vaccination. Hence, why most vaccine sites will have a person wait 15 minutes after the vaccine for observation.

Why do vaccine reactions occur?

Our immune system is ignited by vaccines. Thus, our bodies react, appropriately. Such reactions may feel like sickness; yet, they are not sickness! Such reactions are the outcomes of your body reacting to the vaccine (in a positive way). This is one of the reasons that reactions may be greater after the second dose. Our bodies have already identified the vaccine. Our antibodies are increased when our bodies recognize the second dose.

How does the vaccine work?

Vaccines are developed to produce immunity to COVID-19. The vaccine injects a substance (either mRNA or a viral vector), which is essentially a blueprint for the virus. Thus, our bodies remember this blueprint. In response, our cells create spike proteins that allow our immune system to make antibodies. Spike proteins introduce our bodies to the virus (to create antibodies), without actually causing the disease. Subsequently, our bodies weaken and disable the virus (protecting us from being sick when exposed in the future). The vaccine is not the virus itself (please, please understand this). The vaccines inject a blueprint for the virus (not the virus itself), which our bodies remember, and attack in the future.

What is mRNA?

To be clear, mRNA is NOT DNA. The Pfizer and Moderna vaccines introduce mRNA to our systems. Such vaccines are nucleic. In sum, they introduce a genetic code for the surface spike protein of the virus (without the virus itself), which your cells will remember. Think, blueprint. The mRNA is temporarily in our systems, yet allows our body to recognize (and attack) the virus in the future.

Can I stop wearing a mask once I get the vaccine?

We can still carry the virus, and pass it onto others. Thus, it remains critical to wash your hands, sanitize, wear a facemask, and practice safe hygiene behaviors (even after getting the vaccine). That said, you remain 70-95% safer post-vaccination (depending on what strain you are exposed to).

Does the vaccine stay in my body permanently?

No. The vaccine produces spike proteins. Spike proteins are released by our bodies in response to the vaccine, and create antibodies specific to the virus itself. Vaccines never stay in our bodies permanently. The vaccine itself is processed metabolically.

What are variants?

Variants are forms of COVID-19 that have cloned themselves. Some are stronger than the original COVID-19 strains; some are not. Essentially, when a virus lives for long enough, it attempts to replicate. The longer it replicates, the more errors (and changes) it makes. Thus, variants are errors (and changes) the virus makes while aiming to replicate itself.

Why is it better to get the vaccine versus getting COVID?

The vaccine produces long-term immunity to COVID-19 (approximately six to twelve months). Alternatively, if one gets COVID itself, one only gains immunity to the strain responsible for infection; such immunity lasts four to six months. If one gets the vaccine, one maintains longer-term immunity with a notably lower chance of infecting others (and without getting sick and risking hospitalization and/or death from COVID- related pneumonia).

What is the difference between the vaccine and the virus?

The vaccine is NOT the virus. It introduces the blueprint for one surface portion of the virus, which induces your body to make spike proteins, and then antibodies, to protect you from the virus in the future.

Could someone die from the vaccine?

No deaths have been linked to the vaccines. All deaths that were proximally linked to vaccine administration dates, were due to alternate causes (e.g., old age, and/or severe medical problems).

Is it wise to get the vaccine?

Clinical trials to date have demonstrated that all three vaccines protect 100% against hospitalization and death (from COVID-19). Further, the earlier you get the vaccine, the more likely you are to obtain the booster shot. Yes, there will likely be a booster shot administered once new variants are identified. Likely, only to those to obtain the vaccine early on.

What is herd immunity?

Once the population is 80% vaccinated, we will be closer to achieving herd immunity. Herd immunity is a concept whereby the entire population benefits, once the vast population has been vaccinated. In sum, we are still at a low percentage. Let’s help California (along with the entire country- and the world), achieve an 80% vaccination rate. Please do part. You are helping both yourself, your loved ones, and society at large.

Authorship: Sophie Aiyer