Our Body’s immune system utilizes a host of white blood cells to help fight infection in certain ways. These warrior white blood cells include:
- Macrophages eat dead/dying cells and leave signals called antigens which basically is this red flag that says “hello antibodies attack here”)
- B-Lymphocytes: Which are the ones creating those antibodies to attack where the macrophages had marked.
- T-lymphocytes: on the defense and they also attack infected cells in the body. These are memory cells that remember that same virus if it dares invade again, this vaccine utilizes this awesome protection system to help people who have COVID-19.
3 Types of COVID vaccines:
- mRNA Vaccine: Basically it gives instructions to our cells that make a protein or parts of a protein. This inactive/harmless protein piece is called a “spike protein” which is found on top of surfaces of COVID-19. Then our immune system is like “wait, this is not supposed to be here” and starts making the antibodies from B-lymphocytes and T-lymphocytes which now know how to fight the virus in the future.
- Protein subunit vaccines: The same concept as mRNA but it includes the harmless proteins of the virus that causes COVID-19 instead of the entire pathogen.
- Vector Vaccines: a weakened live virus that helps build immunity for the actual virus in the future.
The two big vaccines circling the news are from Pfizer and Moderna and are making history as being the first types of vaccines to every use mRNA technology combined with the body’s immune response.
These vaccines require 2 doses to ensure the body is fully vaccinated. Once the second dose has been administered, studies have shown the vaccines to be about 95% effective. This vaccine came out relatively quickly, therefore the lasting effects of the vaccine have yet to be observed in the coming months and years. Those who get the vaccine should note that side effects are similar to when receiving the flu vaccine with potential for fatigue, sore arms, and fever which is a sign that your body’s immune system is at work.
As for when you will get your COVID-19 vaccine, that depends on if you are a health care worker, essential worker, or your health status. You can utilize this New York Times article to find your place in the vaccine line.
COVID has rocked the science field dramatically, calling for new advances in the shortest amount of time. Individuals in science and those at the forefront of the pandemic are our national heroes. I stand with science and I am continually in awe of the amazing progress at the intersection of science and community health. Although the future may seem bleak at times, science gives me much needed slivers of hope.
