Filenews 5 May 2021
Pharmaceutical Services answer frequently asked questions about COVID-19 vaccines.
1. How do vaccines against COVID-19 work?
In general, vaccines work by preparing the human immune system (the body's natural defences) to recognize specific viruses and protect them from the disease they cause.
Most of the research on VACCINES against COVID-19 concerns the challenge of the human body's response against a specific protein, which is found only in SARS-CoV-2 (coronavirus) and which causes COVID-19. When a person is vaccinated, an immune response is created. If the person is later infected with the SARS-CoV-2 virus, the immune system is able to recognize him and is already prepared to attack him.
2. Can I get SARS-CoV-2 because of the COVID-19 vaccine?
No. None of the approved and recommended COVID-19 vaccines from the European Medicines Agency contain the live SARS-CoV-2 virus, which causes COVID-19.
COVID-19 vaccines teach the immune system how to recognize and fight the virus that causes COVID-19 disease. Sometimes this process can cause mild symptoms such as fever, headache and headaches. These symptoms are normal and are evidence that the human body is developing protection against the virus.3. Can I get the vaccine and still get COVID-19? And since the vaccine doesn't protect 100% from the disease from the coronavirus, why should I?
The data available so far show that vaccines reduce the risk of developing symptoms and the risk of severe virus disease. This is very important, because at the same time the risk of hospitalizations, the risk of loss of life and the risk of long-term complications caused by the virus in some patients, such as complications from the cardiovascular and respiratory systems, are reduced.
All vaccines so far approved by the European Medicines Agency provide high efficacy. They reduce the chance of someone suffering from COVID-19 disease and protect against serious or fatal complications of the disease. However, because no vaccine is 100% effective, a small percentage of fully vaccinated individuals may be infected with SARS-COV-2 and become infected with COVID-19 even after receiving all required doses of the vaccine.
In addition, after administration of the 1st or 2nd dose of the vaccine it takes a few weeks for someone to develop immunity and be protected. This means that it is possible for a person to contract the coronavirus shortly before or shortly after receiving the vaccine and to become sick. This is because the vaccine did not have sufficient time to develop the necessary immune protection.
4. How long does protection against COVID-19 vaccines last? Should I repeat booster dose of vaccine after completion of vaccination for COVID-19?
On the basis of the data available so far, we do not know the duration of protection offered by vaccines against coronavirus. The duration of protection provided by vaccination is expected to be longer than the natural immunity acquired after the natural infection.
Individuals vaccinated in clinical trials will continue to be monitored in order to gather more information on the duration of protection and whether and when a booster dose will be needed. In addition, by vaccinating more people it is expected that we will have more data on the duration of protection offered by the vaccine.
5. Can I test positive for a coronavirus test for COVID-19?
No. None of the approved and recommended COVID-19 vaccines cause a positive result in a test for coronavirus detection (molecular PCR method or rapid test). The coronavirus detection test is used to determine if someone is infected with the virus itself.
After vaccination one may have a positive effect on certain antibody tests due to the body's immune response. Antibody tests indicate whether someone is infected with the coronavirus and if they are sick and that there may be some level of protection against the virus.
6. I have been exposed to the SARS-CoV-2 virus or have been infected with COVID-19. Do I need to get the vaccine?
According to current recommendations, a person should be vaccinated regardless of whether they have already been infected with the coronavirus as they are likely to become infected again. Previous disease with COVID-19 may offer some protection, known as natural immunity, which however does not appear to be enough to protect against a possible re-infection with the virus. Current evidence suggests that re-infection with SARS-CoV-2 virus is not common in the months after the initial infection, but may increase over time.
Vaccination after COVID-19 disease is carried out within three (3) months after recovery and after at least 42 days have passed after recovery/negativity in diagnostic tests. In people who have been seriously ill and treated with specialized treatments it is recommended that vaccination be carried out after 90 days. In any case it is recommended that people who have been diseased and wish to be vaccinated consult their Personal Physician.
7. Do vaccines with mRNA technology affect my DNA?
No. Messenger RNA (mRNA) is not the same as DNA and cannot be combined with our DNA to change our genetic code. The mRNA contained in the vaccine does not enter the nucleus of the cell where our DNA is located. It simply instructs our cell to produce a specific virus protein, against which our immune system then reacts and is eventually trained to react to the virus.
8. May side effects due to COVID-19 vaccines occur in the future?
COVID-19 vaccines are safe and protect against serious infection and death from COVID-19 disease. Some mild side effects, which may occur after vaccination, are indications that the body develops immunity.
Side effects usually occur in the first few days after receiving the vaccine. Most are mild or moderate in intensity and subside within a few days. In some cases they may be more severe or last longer.
Serious side effects that could cause long-term health problems are highly unlikely after any vaccination, including COVID-19 vaccination. Vaccine monitoring has historically shown that side effects generally occur within six (6) weeks of receiving the vaccine dose.
Vaccines are continuously monitored to detect any side effects.
9. Can a woman who is pregnant or planning pregnancy make the COVID-19 vaccine?
There are currently limited data from the use of COVID-19 vaccines in pregnant women. However, based on their mechanism of action, they are not expected to pose any risk to pregnant women or the foetus.
Clinical trials studying the safety and benefit of COVID-19 vaccines in pregnant women are ongoing or planned. Data from women in completed clinical trials who received the vaccine and became pregnant are collected and examined.
It is recommended that pregnant women discuss the benefits and risks of the vaccine with their treating physician.
In addition, there is currently no evidence that COVID-19 vaccines affect fertility and no pregnancy avoidance is required after receiving a COVID-19 vaccine. Animal studies have not demonstrated direct or indirect toxicity to reproductive capacity.
10. Can a breast-feeding woman get the COVID-19 vaccine?
There are currently no published studies on the safety of COVID-19 vaccines in breast-feeding women or the effect of vaccination on the breast-feeding child.
Based on their mechanism of action, COVID-19 vaccines are not expected to pose any risk to breast-feeding women or to the breast-feeding child. Recent studies have shown that in lactating women who received mRNA COVID-19 vaccines antibodies were detected in breast milk. At present, it is not known how long these antibodies can be excreted in breast milk and whether they provide some protection to the breast-feeding child.
Current recommendations are that breast-feeding women can receive a COVID-19 vaccine. In any case it is recommended that breast-feeding women who wish to be vaccinated discuss the benefits and risks of the vaccine with their treating physician.
11. As the use of vaccines increases, how quickly will we be able to return to our normal lifestyle?
Vaccines are one of the tools to tackle the pandemic. However, health protocols and personal protection measures need to be respected at the same time. As the pandemic continues, we must take all necessary measures to prevent the spread of the virus and prevent more deaths. We must continue to respect social distancing measures and follow all prevention measures that have proven to be effective and keep us safe (use of masks, regular and meticulous hand hygiene, cleanliness of the place where we live or work). At the same time, we must support and encourage vaccination in order to increase population coverage. The sooner the majority of the population is vaccinated, the sooner immunity will occur in the community and we will thus be able to gradually return to our normal way of life.
* The answers to the above questions are based on the data available so far and on the current recommendations of European and global public health organisations and which are constantly updated.
Source: eyenews
