Posted by Community Host Christine Bell-Witter
The past year has launched most of us into an intellectual abyss. For scientists or even those of us who considered ourselves well educated, this is a novel and uncomfortable place to be. Some of us have dug up old science books, others have embraced unregulated social media but as Covid-19 did not exist as a human pathogen two years ago, the credibility of what we find is sometimes questionable. Normally 'experts' who publish papers only do so after years of research and trials.
The past year's hunger for information has been met with a diet of publications that have been well meant 'educated guesses,' speculation, and yes conspiracy theories. Conspiracy theories have been embraced by our community. This stems from a distrust of the authorities in general, the ever-changing messages and or emphases of the government, and historic injustices. Now some of the trials are finished, so now traditional 'creditable' papers are emerging. This will yield short-term information. However the question most want to be answered still remains an educated guess. 'If I take the vaccine will there be any long-term health implications?' What most experts will say, probably with more eloquent verbosity is 'hopefully not.'
Starting with the question of what is the Covid- 19 vaccine, I came across this article published by the CDC. What do you think?
Understanding mRNA COVID-19 Vaccines
Messenger RNA vaccines—also called mRNA vaccines—are some of the first COVID-19 vaccines authorized for use in the United States.
New Approach to Vaccines
mRNA vaccines are a new type of vaccine to protect against infectious diseases. To trigger an immune response, many vaccines put a weakened or inactivated germ into our bodies. Not mRNA vaccines. Instead, they teach our cells how to make a protein—or even just a piece of a protein—that triggers an immune response inside our bodies. That immune response, which produces antibodies, is what protects us from getting infected if the real virus enters our bodies.
A Closer Look at How COVID-19 mRNA Vaccines Work
COVID-19 mRNA vaccines give instructions for our cells to make a harmless piece of what is called the “spike protein.” The spike protein is found on the surface of the virus that causes COVID-19. COVID-19 mRNA vaccines are given in the upper arm muscle. Once the instructions (mRNA) are inside the immune cells, the cells use them to make the protein piece. After the protein piece is made, the cell breaks down the instructions and gets rid of them. Next, the cell displays the protein piece on its surface. Our immune systems recognize that the protein doesn’t belong there and begin building an immune response and making antibodies, like what happens in natural infection against COVID-19. At the end of the process, our bodies have learned how to protect against future infection. The benefit of mRNA vaccines, like all vaccines, is those vaccinated gain this protection without ever having to risk the serious consequences of getting sick with COVID-19.
Published by the CDC.