Filenews 28 December 2020
Answers to frequently asked questions about the vaccine against coronavirus are given competently by Paraskevi Gogolidou, Associate Professor in Molecular Genetics, University of Wolverhampton (United Kingdom) and Evi Maifosi, EU Programme Implementation Officer for Health Promotion and Scientific Communication with experience in Drug Research & Development, Centre for Social Innovation (Cyprus).
- What is mRNA, changing our DNA? The genetic information we all have exists in the nucleus of our cells in the form of DNA, like a large phone book that we consult according to our need and circumstance (Figure 1A). This list of its own is not understood by our cells, they need a messenger (like the winged Mercury) to give them activation commands. This roll holds the (messenger) mRNA - messenger RNA. mRNA helps our cells synthesize everything they need to stay alive and active. The synthesis of these necessary structural and functional materials of the cell (called proteins) takes place in a part of the cell called cytoplasm and is the factory of proteins. In the case of the vaccine, mRNA instructs our cells to fight the virus. MRNA vaccines do not contain a live virus, so they do not transmit the disease to the vaccinated. The mRNA of the vaccine does not enter the nucleus of the cell but into the cytoplasm, therefore it does not affect or alter the human DNA that is in the nucleus of the cell.
- What does the vaccine do to our body? The 3 vaccines so far approved are based on 2 different technologies - mRNA technology (vaccines from Pfizer and Moderna) and previous existing technologies (Oxford vaccine /AstraZeneca). In other words, the first 2 vaccines carry the command (i.e. mRNA) to produce antibodies against the virus, while the third directly transfers the material – or virus protein – produced by the command. What happens next with all 3 vaccines is that our cells detect the material and are activated to react and protect our body. This activation consists of 2 actions - firstly, our cells produce antibodies against the virus so that they can destroy it, and secondly, they produce memory T-lymphocytes, which in any future infection will react directly to defend our body from the invader virus (Figure 1B). Antibodies and T-lymphocytes are imagined as the gate and walls of a castle, which together help to effectively shield it. The vaccine does not cause changes in our genetic material, so it does not affect procreation.
- Why do we need vaccines? Vaccines are effective in treating many diseases because they provide a gradual familiarity of the body against the invader virus, in the same way that some allergies are treated, under doctor's supervision, when the person who has the allergy is given a small, controlled dose of the allergen for regular intervals e.g. a small amount of almonds in people with severe allergies to almonds. Vaccines also prepare our body to react immediately and effectively to any contact with the virus. Also, as they familiarize our body with the virus, in case of a second infection they will perhaps help us pass the disease with more mild symptoms and not end up intubated in the hospital.
- What are the ingredients of the mRNA vaccine? Both vaccines (Pfizer and Moderna) contain the following ingredients (Figure 2):
1. Active ingredient, i.e. the information that instructs (mRNA) in our cells to be shielded against the virus,
2. Lipids that protect the command from destruction and ensure its transfer to our cells;
3. Salts that ensure the pH of the vaccine is the same as our body's, and
4. Sugar, keeping the vaccine active and protecting it at its low storage temperatures.
The vaccine is given in 2 doses with approximately 1 month distance between doses. The double dosage is needed to ensure the maximum response of our body and to its most effective shielding against the virus. The dosage of each vaccine depends on many factors that are extensively examined according to strict procedures during clinical trials.
- Is the vaccine safe for people in immunosuppression? The vaccine against coronavirus does not contain a live virus, so it does not pose a risk to people who are immunosuppressed. The only contraindication concerns immunosuppression patients who have a severe history of allergic reactions – and they should talk to their doctor before administering the vaccine. Perhaps in immunosuppressed individuals the vaccine does not have as effective an effect on protection against the coronavirus as in the rest of the population with an integrated immune system. That is why vaccination of the general population of a country is important, because we must protect people in immunosuppression or other contraindications. However, even reduced protection to have these individuals, compared to the coronavirus, with the vaccine, is better than no protection at all.
- Can a safe vaccine come out within six months? The technologies on which the vaccine is based are widely known and studied over the past 10 years. For years scientists have been working with new technologies that allow the creation of effective vaccines in viruses such as SARS, MERS etc. The first data from the Oxford/AstraZeneca vaccine are based on 11,636 participants over 18 years of age, Pfizer on 43,548 participants over 16 years of age and Moderna on 30,000 participants over 18 years of age. All three are large clinical studies that give us the confidence to say that sufficient data have been collected on the safety and efficacy of the vaccine. There is no recorded death that was a direct result of the vaccine against corovirus. On the contrary, the corovirus itself is responsible for the attribution of 1.76 million human lives around the world by the time we checked today's data.
- If we get vaccinated while taking biological agents, will we have a problem? Biological agents are commands in our body to stop the immune system's overreaction against the body itself and to subside inflammation. The coronavirus vaccine gives another mandate to our body to fight the virus. The two orders are not related, after all, our organization can do many things at once. Therefore, vaccination does not adversely affect our body by taking biological agents at the same time.
- Does the new mutation affect the effectiveness of the vaccine? From the current information, the current composition of the vaccine appears to be effective against current mutations of the virus. The sooner we vaccinate more and more, the better we will shield humanity against the virus. Also, our quick shielding will prevent virus mutations in the future when current vaccines may not be effective.
- Is there a risk that if I get vaccinated, I'll get allergic shock? Anaphylactic shock is not caused by the virus mRNA but the other components of the vaccine (polyethylene glycol (PEG), as mentioned in answer 4. If you have a history of serious allergies, you should tell your doctor before administering the vaccine. In clinical studies, the probability of an allergic reaction did not differ statistically significantly between those who received the vaccine and those who received placebo. allergens (pollen, mites, fungi) or bee/wedge poisons do not have an increased likelihood in relation to the general population of developing an allergic reaction to the vaccine. , to administer appropriate treatment (e.g. epinephrine, antihistamines) in the rare case of allergic shock.
- Is it necessary/can be vaccinated and those who have already passed the crown? At the moment we know that immunity to coronavirus certainly lasts around 8 months - it may last longer but not long enough to know. If it only lasts 8 months, we will need an annual vaccination against the coronavirus, just as we do with the flu. In any case, it is a good thing that everyone is vaccinated, whether they have passed the crown virus or not, to make sure they maintain protection against the virus. The current recommendation for vaccines concerns vaccination in people over 18 years of age, as clinical trials have been carried out in this age group. Further studies will show how much people under the age of 16 can be vaccinated, as well as pregnant women.
- Are we aware of the short- and long-term effects of the vaccine? The most common side effects of the vaccine (observed in about 10% of participants) were fatigue, headache, hand pain at the vaccination site and fever. None of the deaths observed in the vaccination participants were associated with the vaccine. In any case, all vaccinated patients participating in the clinical trials will be monitored for up to 2 years after the second dose of the vaccine has been carried out.
To sum up, thanks to vaccines we have managed to combat many diseases, such as tuberculosis, measles and meningitis B, diseases that have caused many deaths, chronic problems and social marginalisation. All medical interventions contain a percentage of risk and all decisions in the medical and scientific community are made after weighing benefits with risks. So learn and consider the benefits to your health, the health of your loved ones and how by vaccinating yourself you protect your loved ones, your social circle and those who keep the public health system upright. Only with coordinated actions such as continuous testing, contact tracing, and vaccination will we be able to reduce the spread and mutation of the virus and eliminate it. Our collective responsibility and decisions thinking of society as a whole are the most important weapon we have against every virus.
photo: CYPE
