"What is the Covid-19 Vaccine Really All About?"

         After the outbreak of the Covid-19 virus and the world was put into lockdown, many of us have started to fear for our safety. And unfortunately, it has also taken the lives of many. Scientist and researchers all over the world have come together to work on a cure for the virus, or anything to suppress it. At last, they have succeeded in creating a vaccine. Various companies have then started to mass producing the vaccines to spread it and to quickly stop the virus. 

        There are three types of Covid-19 vaccines. The mRNA vaccines, Protein subunit vaccines, and the Vector vaccines. The mRNA vaccines contain material from the virus that causes COVID-19 that gives our cells instructions for how to make a harmless protein that is unique to the virus. After our cells make copies of the protein, they destroy the genetic material from the vaccine. Our bodies recognize that the protein should not be there and build T-lymphocytes and B-lymphocytes that will remember how to fight the virus that causes COVID-19 if we are infected in the future. Protein subunit vaccines work in a similar way, however, the material used is a harmless protein that causes Covid-19 instead of the entire germ. And lastly, the Vector vaccines contain a modified version of a different virus than the one that causes COVID-19. Inside the shell of the modified virus, there is material from the virus that causes COVID-19. This is called a “viral vector.” This vaccine also works similarly to the other vaccines. There are 7 different Covid vaccine brands that are in use as of recently. Brands such as Pfizer and Moderna have shown an effectivity rate as high as 95%. AstraZeneca has an efficacy of 70%, Johnson and Johnson has an efficacy of 66%, Russia’s Sputnik has an efficacy of 91.4%, Sinovac with an efficacy of 50.38%, and Novavax with an efficacy of 89.3%.

        The vaccine for Covid-19 has been said and been proven to have gone through various test, thus makes it safe for the people. As of now unvaccinated people make up the majority of Covid-19 deaths, according to an Associated Press analysis of government data. There have been no complications recorded after the release of the vaccine, although it does have side effects, as your body needs to get used to the virus in order to be able to fight it off in the future. Taking the vaccine is better safe than sorry. But even after taking the vaccine, it is also still best to follow health protocols, like social distancing and wearing a mask.

References:

• https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/images/vaccines/HCW_vaccine_page_transp-300x236-1.png
• https://www.aarp.org/health/conditions-treatments/info-2020/coronavirus-vaccine-research.html./
• https://www.unicef.org/sites/default/files/styles/hero_mobile/public/UN0415226.jpg?itok=F7VetZKH
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