What Is A Vaccine?

A vaccine is a simple, safe, and effective way of protecting people against harmful diseases before coming into contact with them.

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How does a vaccine work?

A vaccine introduces small amounts of the active virus or bacteria (which can’t, in any way, infect the body). This allows for the body’s immune system to recognize this virus or bacteria as a foreign body and produce various antibodies to fight against the virus. With the infecting amounts being minute, it gets killed by a combination of bodily antibodies. Thus, when the body gets infected latterly, and the body already knows the combination of antibodies to produce, the body responds quickly and appropriately to fight the infection.

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The current issue in Portland OR

Now, Covid-19 is the deadly virus that is currently spreading all around the world in a fast and lethal manner. Luckily, the vaccine research agencies have started to devise multiple different vaccines to curb covid-19 by destroying it or slowing its effects.

The Moderna vaccine is one such vaccine.

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Moderna vaccine. What is it? 

It is an mRNA vaccine.

An mRNA vaccine functions by providing the body with genetic information to produce viral or bacterial proteins, in this case, the spike protein found on the surface of SARS-CoV-2. These proteins trigger an immune response and the production of specific antibodies, preparing the body to fight off an infection if it comes into contact with the pathogen in the future.

The Moderna vaccine is a shot given to the upper arm muscle in 2 shots 28 days apart.

Statistical proof of Moderna’s efficacy

Based on evidence from clinical trials, the Moderna vaccine was 94.1% effective at preventing laboratory-confirmed COVID-19 illness.

The vaccine appeared to have high efficacy in clinical trials among people of diverse age, sex, race, and ethnicity categories and persons with underlying medical conditions.

(https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/vaccines/different-vaccines/Moderna.html)

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Precautions to follow:

In the case of a severe allergic reaction (anaphylaxis) or an immediate allergic reaction to any ingredient in the vaccine you want to receive, you should not get the second dose.

Unless advised by a medical professional.

Otherwise, one should get the second shot as close to the recommended 3-week or 4-week interval as possible.

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Can I still get COVID-19 after I’m vaccinated?

A minute percentage of fully vaccinated people could still get COVID-19 if exposed to the COVID-19 virus. These are called vaccine breakthrough cases.

However, vaccination might make the illness less severe. If you are fully vaccinated, the overall risk of hospitalization and death due to COVID-19 is much lower than among unvaccinated people with similar risk factors.

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Conclusion

Like all the other vaccines, Moderna isn’t perfect or a cure to ending Covid-19. But it is a compelling start.

We would still need to follow safety protocols by properly wearing our masks, using sanitizers and hand washes, and social distancing.

But, we need to remember that this is temporary. It is long but temporary. It will get over sooner with us following the safety rules.