COVID 19 Vaccines: Moderna
Over 1.68 billion people have taken the modern vaccine throughout 176 countries, and the rate continues to grow at about 28.9 million doses per day. The modern vaccine is one of the three options of vaccines to take in order to prevent oneself from COVID-19. Based on the findings of clinical trials, the Moderna vaccine has an effective rate of 94.1% for people who receive both doses and have not been previously diagnosed with COVID-19.
The extremeness of side effects differentiates from person to person, but common side effects include a sore arm, fever, nausea, and headaches. Doctors have advised that these are completely normal reactions to the vaccine and should not harm someone long-term.
mRNA vaccines, such as the Moderna Vaccine, teach our cells how to produce a protein that activates an immune response within our bodies; thus, those vaccinated receive immunity without ever having to risk the severe consequences of contracting COVID-19.
COVID-19 mRNA vaccines are first administered to the upper arm muscle. The immune cells then use the mRNA to create the protein piece once they are within the cells, allowing them to break down the instructions and discard them after the protein piece is formed. The cell then shows the protein fragment on its surface. Our immune systems know that the protein is not supposed to be there, so they start developing an immune response and producing antibodies, much like a typical infection with COVID-19. As a result, we are protected from COVID-19.
Clinical trials recruited 30,420 volunteers randomly assigned to receive either the vaccine or a placebo in a 1:1 ratio (15,210 participants in each group). More than 96 percent of participants received all injections, and 2.2 percent had evidence of SARS-CoV-2 infection. Symptomatic Covid-19 illness was reported in 185 placebo group participants and 11 Moderna group participants, with vaccine efficacy of 94.1 percent. Severe Covid-19 struck 30 people, one of whom died; all 30 were in the placebo party. The Moderna community had a higher rate of moderate, transient reactogenicity after vaccination. Serious side effects were uncommon.
There is a typical misconception that the Moderna vaccine "injects" COVID-19 cells into one's body; however, that is false. mRNA vaccines do not use the live virus that causes COVID-19, which means the vaccine cannot give a person COVID-19. The Moderna vaccine also cannot alter one's DNA since mRNA never enters the nucleus of the cell, which is where our genetic material is stored.
Works Cited:
https://www.bloomberg.com/graphics/covid-vaccine-tracker-global-distribution/
https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/nejmoa2035389
Image Credit:
https://uk.finance.yahoo.com/news/modernas-covid-19-vaccine-nearly-95-effective-in-trials-122147145.html