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The current vaccine narrative is being spun as a positive. However my minimal understanding of all that I've read is that these first vaccines will not prevent Covid-19, rather, will reduce symptoms and increase odds of survival. Is that about right or where else should I be looking? TIA.
Some of the vaccines that are now in trials use messenger RNA (mRNA). This is what carries the instructions for making the “spike” protein that lets the virus enter human cells. The mRNA vaccine tells your immune cells to make the protein and act as if they’ve already been infected with the coronavirus, giving you some immunity against it. Another candidate uses DNA that’s designed to trigger an immune response to the virus. Several vaccines have weakened versions of the adenovirus, one of the viruses that causes the common cold. It’s been combined with genes from the new coronavirus’ spike protein to trigger your immune system to fight it. Other vaccines that aren’t yet in clinical trials teach your immune system to target the coronavirus by using versions of the spike protein or the virus itself.
I do not know where the extant polio and TB vaccines fall into this spectrum.
Wow I am glad I have a reputation as an expert, but while I am a doctor, and am fairly knowledgeable about statistics and epidemiology and clinical medicine, I am not an immunologist. What I know of vaccines comes from medical school ( 1978) and 40 years of office practice.
I think the simple answer to the question is no one knows, and it will likely vary by type of vaccine.
Moderna has gotten a lot of press about their RNA vaccine but keep in mind that while it makes sense that an RNA vaccine would work, there are currently no RNA vaccines licensed for any disease. Moderna is hoping it's will be the first.
Others are developing vaccines to some of the surface proteins or other viral components
The articles linked are correct that because upper respiratory infections usually stay in the surface of the respiratory tract ( like a cold) frequently antibodies do not develop and even in diseases with antibodies, people can have the bacteria in their upper airway, as the antibodies can't access it until it gets into the sub surface layers or blood.
But if a vaccine turned Covid into a cold it would be a great help.
We don't even know if Covid survivors are completely immune from getting infected again.
There are many ways to make an effective vaccine
Inactivated ( killed) virus Hepatitis A and flu shots Since Hepatitis A doesn't change much the vaccine is long lasting but influenza changes every year
Attentuated whole agent (chemically induced to be non infectious) virus like measles mumps rubella Flumist
Toxoid ( induces antibodies to the toxin produced by the bacteria that cause the disease (Tetanus) Covid doesn't make toxins so this is not an option
Sub unit vaccines have only a part of the virus in the vaccine. Your body produces antibodies to that part of the virus Ex Hepatitis B
Comments
https://www.statnews.com/2020/06/14/sinovac-early-data-covid19-vaccine-generated-immune-responses/
https://www.webmd.com/lung/covid-19-vaccine#1
Some of the vaccines that are now in trials use messenger RNA (mRNA). This is what carries the instructions for making the “spike” protein that lets the virus enter human cells. The mRNA vaccine tells your immune cells to make the protein and act as if they’ve already been infected with the coronavirus, giving you some immunity against it.
Another candidate uses DNA that’s designed to trigger an immune response to the virus.
Several vaccines have weakened versions of the adenovirus, one of the viruses that causes the common cold. It’s been combined with genes from the new coronavirus’ spike protein to trigger your immune system to fight it.
Other vaccines that aren’t yet in clinical trials teach your immune system to target the coronavirus by using versions of the spike protein or the virus itself.
I do not know where the extant polio and TB vaccines fall into this spectrum.
Lots going on, Google prudently.
https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/coronavirus/in-depth/coronavirus-vaccine/art-20484859
https://www.hsph.harvard.edu/news/hsph-in-the-news/covid-19-vaccines-unlikely-to-be-cure-all/
https://www.statnews.com/2020/05/22/the-world-needs-covid-19-vaccines-it-may-also-be-overestimating-their-power/
I think the simple answer to the question is no one knows, and it will likely vary by type of vaccine.
Moderna has gotten a lot of press about their RNA vaccine but keep in mind that while it makes sense that an RNA vaccine would work, there are currently no RNA vaccines licensed for any disease. Moderna is hoping it's will be the first.
Others are developing vaccines to some of the surface proteins or other viral components
The articles linked are correct that because upper respiratory infections usually stay in the surface of the respiratory tract ( like a cold) frequently antibodies do not develop and even in diseases with antibodies, people can have the bacteria in their upper airway, as the antibodies can't access it until it gets into the sub surface layers or blood.
But if a vaccine turned Covid into a cold it would be a great help.
We don't even know if Covid survivors are completely immune from getting infected again.
There are many ways to make an effective vaccine
Inactivated ( killed) virus Hepatitis A and flu shots Since Hepatitis A doesn't change much the vaccine is long lasting but influenza changes every year
Attentuated whole agent (chemically induced to be non infectious) virus like measles mumps rubella Flumist
Toxoid ( induces antibodies to the toxin produced by the bacteria that cause the disease (Tetanus) Covid doesn't make toxins so this is not an option
Sub unit vaccines have only a part of the virus in the vaccine. Your body produces antibodies to that part of the virus Ex Hepatitis B
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vaccine
today's corticoid steroid news looks promising