COVID-19 Vaccine information

 

SARS CoV-2 Vaccine information

What an exciting change of events that the COVID-19 vaccine is becoming available to the public.  I can imagine that parents, students and staff have questions about safety and how well it works and when is my turn?

How do these vaccines work? 

    There are 2 vaccines approved for emergency use in the United States at this time.  Moderna and Pfizer.  Both vaccines are Messenger RNA vaccines.  Messenger RNA or mRNA enters human cells after injection and tells the ribosomes in cells to manufacture the spike protein from COVID, then our own immune system picks up these spikes and creates a defense against them in the form of antibodies.  These antibodies hang around and when we interact with natural COVID-19, we are able to fight it off right away and not get sick.  There is NO virus in this vaccine.  

Wait, wont this mRNA alter my DNA and basically change me into a COVID making and passing machine?

        Short answer, no. The mRNA cannot even enter the nucleus of our cells (where our DNA is stored). Also, the mRNA is covered in a lipids or fats, then the mRNA is quickly destroyed by our own enzymes so it doesn't hang around long at all.  The mRNA is only coded for the spike protein on the COVID virus, not the entire virus, these little spikes on their own are harmless.  Then our immune system sets up defense against the spike protein, making it impossible for other COVID virus to enter cells, should we encounter natural COVID. (BRILLIANT!)

Images below obtained from Kyle D. Massey, PharmD, BCIDP with permission on 1/21/2021

What are the ingredients in the vaccine?

Ingredient Explanation: 

mRNA                                Made up of proteins found in all cells in our body

Lipids Fatty molecules,    Help the mRNA work with the cell 

Polyethylene glycol           Help keep the vaccine stable also found in: - Tylenol - Zyrtec - Ibuprofen -                                                   and dozens of other meds 

Sucrose                              Sugar Coca-cola, Pepsi 

Pfizer/BioNTech only:

Potassium chloride           Electrolytes to make the injection more tolerable found in common foods/drinks                                                        Electrolyte supplements 

Potassium phosphate        Electrolytes to make the injection more tolerable found in common                

                                            foods/drinks Electrolyte supplements 

Sodium phosphate            Electrolytes to make the injection more tolerable found in common            

                                            foods/drinks  

Sodium chloride                Electrolytes to make the injection more tolerable found in common 

                                            foods/drinks Saline (Fluids) 

Moderna only:

Tromethamine                   A buffer to make the injection more tolerable found in other injections, Eye                                                  drops, ear drops, other medications 

Acetic acid                         A buffer to make the injection more tolerable found in other injections, Eye      

                                            drops, ear drops, other medications 

Sodium acetate                  A buffer to make the injection more tolerable found in other injections, Eye                                                  drops, ear drops

What can I expect when I get a vaccine?

The COVID vaccine, both Moderna and Pfizer are a series of 2 injections given either 3 or 4 weeks apart. You will still need to practice good COVID hygiene before during and after your vaccination.  The vaccination as been studied to prevent severe illness from COVID-19, but not to prevent asymptomatic COVID-19 or transfer of illness.  Bottom line, from the time being, it takes 35-42 days for immunity to severe illness, but PLEASE continue to wear your mask and keep your distance.  

What are the side effects from the COVID vaccine?

Please see the table below, but generally side effects were worse after the second dose but were generally mild and lasted 1-2 days. 

Why and HOW were these vaccines developed so fast? Vaccines are suppose to take years to develop.  These companies must have cut corners, RIGHT?!

   Nope, no corners were cut in the development of either of these vaccines.  Operation warp speed provided subsidies to companies and actually pre purchased a number of doses prior to development to decrease financial risk.  Additionally, with so much COVID-19 present in the communities where vaccines were studied, efficacy was determined in a matter of months, not years.   On a side note, Pfizer did not take any money from the government when developing and testing this vaccine.

I am pregnant or breast feeding, should I get this vaccine? 

    Talk with your doctor, this will be an individual decision. 

How will I know it is my turn? 

Visit the websites below for more information, listen to the broadcasts by Dr. Shaw Tuesday and Thursday at 2pm on PBS or talk to your doctor's office for more information.  

Also, DHHS will provide a phone number for more information on 1/25/21

https://www.maine.gov/covid19/vaccines

Vaccine locations

Will there be any other options for vaccines?

YES! Johnson and Johnson and AstraZeneca are both in phase III trials of their vaccines and we should see approval in a few weeks. Johnson and Johnson's vaccine is a one dose and done vaccine.  That one is very exciting.  💪😄

Do I still have to quarantine after my vaccine?

 2 weeks after your second dose of vaccine, you will not need to quarantine after exposure to someone with COVID-19 or travel.  YAY!!! Other states may still require this.

For more information please visit the US CDC website and Maine.gov FAQ

Information adapted from 

Frequently Asked Questions about COVID-19 and Vaccination  - Center for Disease Control and Prevention- Jan 22, 2021

Will the Vaccine Alter My Genes?' -- and Other Patient FAQs - Medscape - Jan 22, 2021.