COVID-19 Vaccine Information For Patients
So there have been a lot of questions asked of providers lately and rumors floating around about the COVID-19 vaccine. These are important questions, and the rumors are spread as hearsay. I am here today to clarify how the vaccine works. According to the Moderna website:
The nucleoside-modified mRNA in the Moderna COVID‑19 Vaccine is formulated in lipid particles, which enable delivery of the nucleoside‑modified mRNA into host cells to allow expression of the SARS‑CoV‑2 Spike antigen. The vaccine elicits an immune response to the Spike antigen, which protects against COVID‑19. A vaccine based on messenger RNA (mRNA) technology does not use inactivated virus, attenuated virus, or any other kind of virus. The Moderna COVID‑19 Vaccine uses mRNA to provide a blueprint for your cells to build your body’s defense against the virus. This allows the body to generate an antibody response, and to retain the information in memory immune cells, with the goal of attacking the virus if the vaccinated individual is exposed(About Our Vaccine, 2021).
So, in layman’s terms the vaccine enters the body and attaches to the fatty layer of the cell and tells that cell to create the pseudo(or fake) “Corona Spike”. The COVID virus never enters your body it does not give you COVID, it just tricks your body into thinking it is attacking the virus.
A little history about MRNA vaccine technology as people think that this research is new. (Hint it is not) for 30 years scientists have been exploring whether vaccines could be made more simply. What if you knew the exact structure of the mRNA that made the critical piece of a virus’s protein coat, such as the spike protein of the COVID-19 virus? While this seems simple it is not; it required decades of work for mRNA vaccines to overcome a series of hurdles. First the scientists had to learn how to modify mRNA so that it did not produce violent immune system reactions. Secondly, they had to learn how to encourage immune system cells to gobble up the mRNA as it passed by in the blood. Thirdly, they had to learn how to coax those cells to make large amounts of the critical piece of protein. Finally, they had to learn how to enclose the mRNA inside microscopically small capsules to protect it from being destroyed by chemicals in our blood. Along the way, they also learned that, compared to traditional vaccines, mRNA vaccines can actually generate a stronger type of immunity: they stimulate the immune system to make antibodies and immune system killer cells — a double strike at the virus.(Komaroff, 2020).
So, in conclusion, the COVID vaccine is not going to cause you to get COVID. The related symptoms after the vaccine are:
- a sore arm
- a low grade fevers
- some body-aches
There are some people who have more of a reaction to the vaccine (but that is why we watch you for 15 minutes after administration). The technology is not new; it has been around for 30 plus years. I hope this information helps you with the decision on if you should get the vaccine or not.
Family Health Care is now administering the Moderna vaccine to current and new patients. If you feel comfortable, schedule an appointment at your convenience by calling us at (208) 377-5166.
Christopher Nicholas, FNP-C
Reference
About Our Vaccine. (2021). In Moderna. Retrieved from https://www.modernatx.com/covid19vaccine-eua/providers/about-vaccine
Komaroff, A. (2020). Why are mRNA vaccines so exciting?. In Harvard Health Publishing. Retrieved from https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/why-are-mrna-vaccines-so-exciting-2020121021599