Here’s what you need to know about the COVID-19 vaccine

Towards the end of December, COVID-19 vaccines were sent throughout the country for healthcare workers across the United States. Both Pfizer and Moderna vaccines have been administered to several thousand healthcare workers. There’s still a lot of confusion surrounding the vaccine, how they will be distributed, and whether there are significant adverse effects from taking the vaccine.

First of all, significant conversations surrounding the contents of the vaccine have sparked up across social media. There have been misunderstandings about how the vaccines were developed and what they contain. In reality, both the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines use mRNA or messenger RNA for our bodies to create a harmless “spike protein.” This protein is found on the surface of the coronavirus. When this mRNA is injected into the body, the instructions are broken down and eliminated. This protein is then displayed on the cell’s surface so that the immune system can create antibodies against the virus as if it were exposed to it. This process allows our bodies to prep in the case of coronavirus infection. The mRNA does not contain the live virus, nor does this mRNA enter the cells’ nucleus. 

However, the AstraZeneca vaccine uses a viral vector. Vector vaccines contain a weakened version of a live virus (a different virus than the one that causes COVID-19) with genetic material from the virus that causes COVID-19 inserted in it (this is the viral vector). Once the viral vector is inside our cells, the genetic material gives cells instructions to make a unique protein to the virus that causes the coronavirus. Using these instructions, our cells make copies of the protein. This prompts our bodies to build antibodies that will remember how to fight that virus if we are infected in the future.

There are currently three front-runner vaccines being distributed: Pfizer, Moderna, and AstraZeneca. All three vaccines require two doses —  three weeks apart for the Pfizer vaccine and four weeks apart for the Moderna and AstraZeneca vaccine. Pfizer has seen 95% efficacy, Moderna, 94.5% efficacy, and AstraZeneca has seen 70% efficacy. Pfizer and Moderna have been administered in the United States, while AstraZeneca has started issuing the vaccine to essential healthcare workers in the UK. AstraZeneca is also planning on distributing the vaccine to other countries. AstraZeneca is also cheaper than Pfizer and Moderna, with each dose costing about $2.50 per shot compared to the other vaccines, which range about $19-$37 per dose.

The majority of healthcare workers have already received their vaccines. Vaccines have started to become distributed to essential frontline workers such as police officers, firefighters, US Postal Service Workers, etc. as well for people aged 75 and older because they are at higher risk of infection, hospitalization, and death from COVID-19. Next will be people aged 65-74 and people aged 16-64 with underlying medical conditions. As vaccine availability increases, vaccination recommendations will expand to include more groups for vaccination.

So far, the vaccine’s typical side effects have been pain or swelling in the arm around the injection site, fever, chills, tiredness, and headache. Most doctors have recommended taking ibuprofen or acetaminophen if you have pain or discomfort, drink plenty of fluids, and dress lightly if you have a fever. It typically takes a few weeks for the body to build up immunity after vaccination. Regardless of receiving a vaccine, people must follow social distancing guidelines and wear masks and public.

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