As the vaccination program gains momentum, many Americans will be looking forward to a return to something resembling normal life. Speaking to CNN's Dana Bash, Dr Anthony Fauci, director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, suggested the US may be be “approaching a degree of normality” by the end of the year.
The COVID-19 vaccination rollout is one of the biggest in US history. Data collected by Bloomberg shows that over 1.2 million vaccines are being administered every day, with over 65 million doses given as of 23rd February 2021. At the current rate, Bloomberg calculates that around 75% of the country could have received the required two doses of the vaccine within 11 months…
What is a vaccine?
A vaccine is a product that stimulates your immune system to produce immunity to a specific disease. Immunity is protection from an infectious disease, which means you can become exposed to the disease without becoming infected. They are usually administered via injection, but some can be administered orally or in a nasal spray.
Vaccines contain ingredients that imitate an infection, stimulating the immune system to produce immune cells to fight off the disease. There are various different kinds of vaccine. Some use a weakened form or the germ that causes disease, for example the measles, mumps and rubella vaccine and chickenpox vaccine. Others use a dead version of the infectious organism, such as the flu or polio vaccine. Other varieties of vaccine include protein subunit, recombinant, polysaccharide and conjugate vaccines, which use specific pieces of the germ (for example a protein) to create an immune response.
The first two COVID-19 vaccines approved for use in the US - the Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna vaccines - are both mRNA vaccines…
How does an mRNA vaccine work?
The Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna mRNA vaccines are the first vaccines to complete all clinical trial stages and be licensed for use by the FDA. However, the technology behind the vaccines has been around a while, with human trials of cancer vaccines using mRNA technology taking place since at least 2011.
The COVID-19 mRNA vaccine instructs the cells to create a harmless piece of the “spike protein” found on the surface of the virus that causes COVID-19. Once this protein is made, the cell then breaks down the mRNA instructions. Next, the immune system recognizes that the newly created protein piece does not belong and starts making antibodies to break this down as well.
Once this process is complete, the body has learned to protect against future infections. This is the same process the body uses to combat natural infection with COVID-19, but without the serious risk that getting sick with COVID-19 brings.
How does the Janssen COVID-19 vaccine work?
On February 27th 2021, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued emergency use authorization for the Janssen COVID-19 vaccine.
Unlike the Pfizer/BioNTech and Moderna vaccines, which use mRNA technology to provide immunity to COVID-19, new Janssen vaccine uses AdVac® “viral vector” technology. It uses an adenovirus (a group of viruses that cause the common cold) as a carrier, or vector, of the antigen’s genetic code. This adenovirus has been genetically modified to prevent it from replicating and causing disease, and with the antigen code, it mimics the virus that causes COVID-19, without causes severe disease. When administered, the vaccine causes the body to produce an immune response, building up antibodies and immune cells.
In the future, if the body encounters the actual virus, it is able to quickly produce the immune cells and antibodies needed to fight the virus and prevent the virus from causing disease.
Which COVID-19 vaccines are available in the US?
Following the approval of the Janssen COVID-19 vaccine on Februyary 27th 2021, the US Food and Drug Administration has now authorized three COVID-19 vaccines for use in the United States:
Phase 3 clinical trials for three other COVID-19 vaccines, which may eventually be made available in the United States, are either in progress or are being planned:
- AstraZeneca’s COVID-19 vaccine
- Novovax’s COVID-19 vaccine
Can the vaccine give me COVID-19?
No. The COVID-19 vaccines do not contain a live virus so cannot give you COVID-19. You may experience some side effects such as fever, chills or tiredness after vaccination as the body builds up your immunity, but the vaccine itself cannot give you the virus. The vaccine will not cause you to test positive on a COVID-19 viral test.
Does the COVID-19 vaccine alter my DNA?
No. The COVID-19 vaccines do not change or interact with your DNA in any way. They are a form of vaccine called Messenger RNA (mRNA) vaccines, which teach the cells to make a protein, which then triggers an immune response. The mRNA does not enter the cell (where DNA is kept).
Who should have the COVID-19 vaccine?
The CDC has stated the goal is to vaccinate as many people as possible in the effort to combat the spread of the virus. It released a list of priority groups and in January this year began encouraging states to start immunizing all residents over 65 years of age and those between 16 and 64 who have underlying health conditions (Phase 1c).
- Phase 1a - vaccination of healthcare personnel and residents of long-term care facilities.
- Phase 1b - frontline essential workers, such as fire fighters and police, as well as those over the age of 75 as they are considered at high risk of hospitalization due to COVID-19.
- Phase 1c - people between 65 and 74; people between 16 and 64 with underlying medical conditions that may increase the risk of complications; and other essential workers.
- Phase 2 - people aged 16 and older without high-risk medical conditions
Who should not have the COVID-19 vaccine?
If you have a severe allergic reaction after the first dose of the vaccine, or have, in the past, had a severe allergic reaction to any vaccine ingredients, you should not get the COVID-19 vaccine. This is the only group the FDA has stated should not be vaccinated.
Currently, the US Food and Drug Administration has not authorized any COVID-19 for use in children under the age of 16. At least one clinical trial is underway to test the safety and efficacy of vaccinating children, so a vaccine is likely to be approved for younger American later this year or in 2022.
Can I have the COVID-19 vaccine if I am pregnant?
Pregnant women can have the COVID-19 vaccine. Pregnant people may be at increased risk for severe illness from COVID-19. Based on how mRNA vaccines work, scientists believe the vaccine is unlikely to pose a specific risk for people who are pregnant. They do not interact with a person’s DNA and do not contain a live virus, so cannot give you COVID-19. However, there is limited data about the safety of the COVID-19 vaccines for people who are pregnant, so getting vaccinated is a personal choice for people who are pregnant.
If you are pregnant and fall into one of the groups the CDC recommends receive a vaccination, for example a healthcare worker, discussing the risks and potential benefits with a healthcare provider may help you make an informed decision about vaccination.
