KEY FACTS ABOUT YOUR COVID-19 VACCINE EXPLAINED
In December 2020, when a 90-year-old grandmother in the UK, Margaret Keenan, became the first person ever to receive her first dose of the Pfizer Covid-19 vaccine, the world changed forever. Since then, millions of people have had their vaccine, or they are eagerly waiting for their turn to have it. But others remain undecided and want to know more about how the vaccines were developed so quickly, the ingredients they contain or the science behind them. So, what are the facts about the vaccines?
Although it may seem as though the vaccines came out of nowhere, the science behind the vaccines has been around for many years. To speed their development and rollout, the UK government and others made unprecedented funding available to researchers and trials ran in parallel. Tens of thousands of volunteers signed up to participate in these trials, from all ethnicities, from around the world.
The science behind the vaccines is cutting-edge. Both the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines use messenger RNA (mRNA) to protect us from Covid-19. The vaccine contains genetic material – mRNA – that tells your body to make just the spike protein of the virus.
After your vaccine, your body’s immunity recognises that something new has been introduced into it (that is, the spike protein) and produces antibodies that will protect you from the severe effects of Covid-19 should you catch it in the future.
In time, the mRNA in your body breaks down and disappears. It never enters the nucleus of your cells so it cannot change your DNA.
The Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine is made from a weakened cold virus and is not a mRNA-based vaccine.
Some people are concerned about the ingredients in the vaccine. However, the good news is that none of the vaccines contain animal products (including egg) and are vegan. They also contain no foetal matter. This means that people from all the major religions, or those following strict diets, do not need to refuse the vaccines on these grounds.
When you get the chance to have the vaccine, do not delay as, while you are unvaccinated, you risk the chance of catching Covid-19.
Even if you do not have any serious symptoms yourself, you may go on to develop Long Covid, or pass it on to someone who will become seriously ill themselves.
Once you are fully vaccinated (you have had both doses of your vaccine), remember to wear a mask and keep your distance from people, who may not yet be vaccinated.
You can further stop the spread of Covid-19 by having regular lateral flow tests, especially if you live or work with school-age children or work in a health or care setting.
Whatever decision you make about the vaccine, always check your information comes from a reliable source such as the NHS, your local council, or your GP practice.