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Our worstCOVID-19fears have been realized.
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Hospitals and ICUs in particular are overwhelmed,as we warned was possiblein the spring.
Deaths have topped 3,000 per day.
And withChristmas around the corner, cases arent likely to recede any time soon.
Keep reading to learn those answers and more.
What is an mRNA vaccine, and why are the first U.S. vaccines both this punch in specifically?
We dont yet know about the other protections these viruses may conferIll delve into that more in a bit.
Heres how these vaccines work: mRNA carries the information for how to make a protein, Dutch explains.
Once inside the cells, the cells make the spike protein, which elicits an immune response.
This is a fairly rapid process because the mRNA is fragile.
Its unclear how long this degradation takes.
With regular mRNA,its within hours.
Its that fragility that has made mRNA vaccines tough to create in the past.
Previously, its been difficult to get the mRNA to be stable enough to initiate an immune response.
Lander quips about mRNA, You play the wrong music and it disintegrates.
Use the wrong color tube and it laughs as it disappears into the ether.
(As someone whos worked with mRNA in the past, I concur.)
But the mRNA vaccines areencased in a matrixof fats, sugars, and salts that increase their stability.
Lander notes, The scientists who created these SARS-CoV-2 vaccines have solved that problem and are to be celebrated.
Its really brilliant vaccine technology that will transform how we make vaccines moving forward.
As someone who doubted they could do it this quickly, I am thrilled I was wrong.
On the subject of speed, some people have concerns about the speed of coronavirus vaccine development.
It certainly has happened more quickly than any other vaccine scientists have developed by far.
Overall, how do we know these vaccines are safe and effective?
There have not been significant safety issues reported.
The individuals have recovered and the incidents are being investigated.
We need to wait and see whether they were brought on by the vaccine or not.
Asnoted previously in SELF, the clinical trials will also continue even after vaccine authorization.
Finally, Ive seen some people express concern about the vaccines somehow changing our DNA.
In response, Dutch clarifies: The molecule being introducedmRNAcannot itself integrate into DNA or change DNA.
Do we know yet if the vaccines prevent asymptomatic transmission?
This is a key unanswered question.
Later research will address this point.
Do mRNA vaccines provide immunity?
How long will immunity last?
Long-term immunity is complicatedbecause even for infection with the actual virus, immunity seems to wane.
Its entirely possible we end up needing a yearly vaccine for COVID-19.
Its also possible we will only need a booster every few years or not at all.
Unfortunately, we have to wait and see, says Lander.
Should people who have already gotten COVID-19 get vaccinated?
This is an active area of investigation.
However, this will need to be further studied, to be sure.
Lander adds, I agree withDr.
In addition, injected mRNA will not reach a fetus.
We know its just too short-lived and fragile for that.
For now, children younger than 16 cannot receive either vaccine.
How do the various authorizations and approvals work?
This is in contrast to abiologicslicense software (BLA), which is the usual process of approval.
They are very lengthy and review takes a long time, says Reiss.
These committees also weigh in on the data presented and present advice to others within their organizations.
What are the next steps after an EUA is approved?
What does it take for full approval to happen?
Dr. Ault notes these can be divided into real time and reported events.
Reported events would involve you or your health care provider reporting a concern to a central system.
Will vaccine mandates become commonplace?
Weve already seen some possible uses of vaccine mandates, such as fortaking an international flight.
The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission has also saidworkplace mandates may be possible.
Reiss notes that this is a messy area.
Such mandates may come down the line.
But mandates arent Reisss immediate concern.
