As we await the emergency authorization of the Pfizer Vaccine we are seeing the largest uptick in COVID19 cases since the virus came to the United States. The case can be made for an emergency use authorization from the FDA.
The vaccine is causes some cells of your body to make parts of the virus – not the whole virus, just a part of that spike on the surface of the virus. Once those proteins are made your immune system recognizes them as a foreign protein and beings to make antibody against them.
Your cells only make a limited number of that virus surface protein, and then they stop making it. But it makes enough of that virus protein that you will develop antibodies against it.
If you later become infected with the virus that causes COVID19 (Sars-Cov-2) your body immediately springs into action, making more antibody and limiting the spread of the virus.
Does the Vaccine Change your DNA or your Genes?
No. The vaccine is made from what is called a messenger RNA not DNA. Think of messenger RNA as being the blueprint for a 3D printer. The messenger RNA directs your cell to make a certain protein, in this case the protein that is on the spike of the virus. It can only make a limited number of copies (like a limited drawing from an artist). Once it has made those the body will take the messenger RNA and degrade it. The messenger RNA is in the cytoplasm of the cell, where the DNA is in the nucleus of the cell – there is no way the messenger RNA can get into the nucleus of the cell and messenger RNA is rapidly degraded by the cell. Nor can RNA get into the DNA and change it.
How Effective is the Pfizer Vaccine against COVID19?
Early reports show it is 90 percent effective against the virus. This number may change slightly either up or down, but this is one effective vaccine.
How Long will Immunity Last Against COVID19?
We don’t know that at this time. We will have to learn as time goes on. We suspect it will be good for between 5 and 20 years.
Can you get COVID19 from this Vaccine?
No, you are never given any live or attenuated or killed part of the SARS-Cov2 virus. There is no part of the virus given to you.
The Vaccine has to be Stored at Negative 70 Degrees – How will that Work?
Because the messenger RNA is easily broken down at normal temperatures, the vaccine is stored at -70 degrees Celsius or minus 94 Fahrenheit. It is also stable in a standard freezer for up to five days. For this Pfizer has developed special shipping containers. Every vial of vaccine contains enough for five doses. In the shipping containers there are trays of 195 vials with 5 trays per box. These boxes all have GPS sensors so Pfizer will know exactly where the box is at all times. Once vaccination starts the vials will be moved to standard freezers, then warmed up as needed (it takes five minutes to warm up a vial).
How Many People can be Vaccinated by the End of December?
12.5 million people will be able to get their first dose of vaccine by the end of December and in three weeks they will be able to get their second dose. It takes two doses of the vaccine to have the immunity needed.
Who Gets the Vaccine First?
There are 6.2 million hospital workers in the United States. Those frontline workers, the doctors, nurses, medical assistants, and all other hospital workers will be the first to be vaccinated. The next will be high risk groups – including people over the age of 80. The distribution will be determined by states, counties, Indian Health Service, and other facilities.
What About other Vaccines?
There are nine other vaccines that are in phase 3 trials that will be manufactured in the United States. Probably the other Pfizer-like vaccine, from Moderna, will be the next one or perhaps the one from the Oxford-Jenner group.
Which Vaccine Should I Get?
Whichever one is offered to you first.
