Demystifying the coronavirus vaccine: safe, effective or "chicken ribs"?
Since its outbreak in Wuhan at the end of 2019, the new coronavirus has caused great harm around the world. In order to effectively curb the spread of the virus, vaccines have become one of the most important weapons. So, how does the coronavirus vaccine work? This article will cover this.
The mechanism of action of the new coronavirus vaccine:
There are two types of vaccines for the new coronavirus: mRNA-based vaccines and vector-based vaccines.
mRNA-based vaccines contain mRNA of viral proteins, which are injected into the human body. After injection, the mRNA of the viral protein will be taken up by human cells, which will then produce the viral protein. These proteins will be considered viruses, triggering a response from the immune system. Over time, the immune system produces antibodies to defend against the virus's attack. Examples: Pfizer and Moderna
Vector-based vaccines use inactive viruses as vectors. These viruses are engineered to carry genes that can carry the new coronavirus and are injected into the human body. Once in the body, these vector viruses release genes and produce viral proteins. Over time, the immune system produces antibodies to defend against the virus's attack. Also called inactivated vaccine.
Effectiveness of coronavirus vaccines:
Although the research and development of new coronavirus vaccines has not lasted long, they have undergone rigorous scientific research and clinical trials, and the safety and efficacy of vaccines have been fully verified and reviewed. According to research, the new coronavirus vaccine can effectively prevent infection, reduce symptoms, and reduce hospitalization and mortality.
However, the effectiveness of a vaccine is also affected by a variety of factors, such as the type of vaccine, the timing of vaccination, and the population administered. For example, some studies have shown that certain variants of the virus may affect the effectiveness of vaccines. In addition, people need to receive two doses of the vaccine for maximum protection.
Overall, the coronavirus vaccine is a safe and effective preventive measure. While there may be differences in the mechanism and type of action of vaccines, they can all stimulate a response from the body's immune system to help prevent infection and spread of the virus. Clinical trial results have shown that the new coronavirus vaccine can significantly reduce the severity of the disease, reduce the hospitalization rate and mortality rate, thus making an important contribution to the control of the epidemic.
However, for vaccinated people, the vaccine does not completely guarantee that they will not be infected with the virus. Therefore, even if vaccinated, people need to continue to follow basic precautions such as social distancing, wearing masks, and washing hands frequently to protect their own health and that of others.
Finally, it is worth noting that the coronavirus is a rapidly mutating virus, which may create new variants that affect the effectiveness of vaccines. Therefore, scientists need to continue to monitor changes in the virus and make timely adjustments and improve the formulation of vaccines to ensure the continued effectiveness of vaccines.
In short, the new crown virus vaccine is one of the most important means to control the epidemic at present. The safety and effectiveness of vaccines have been scientifically verified and recognized, but people still need to be cautious and vigilant to ensure the health safety of themselves and others.