What COVID-19 vaccines are using mRNA technology?
The vaccines made by Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna use mRNA to fight COVID-19.
When these vaccines were rolled out, it was the first time mRNA was used on humans in vaccine technology. While the concept is new to the public, the research has been around since the early 1990s. What are mRNA Vaccines? 2/11
How long has the mRNA vaccine been around? mRNA vaccines have been studied before for flu, Zika, rabies, and cytomegalovirus (CMV). As soon as the necessary information about the virus that causes COVID-19 was available, scientists began designing the mRNA instructions for cells to build the unique spike protein into an mRNA vaccine.
Will a COVID-19 vaccine alter my DNA? No. COVID-19 mRNA vaccines do not change or interact with your DNA in any way.
Has the mRNA vaccine been used before COVID-19? Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, mRNA vaccines targeting infectious diseases including HIV-1, rabies, Zika and influenza were already in clinical trials, as were mRNA vaccines targeting multiple hematologic and solid organ malignancies (Pardi, 2018).
What COVID-19 vaccines are using mRNA technology? – Additional Questions
How was the COVID-19 vaccine developed so quickly?
Scientists began work on the COVID-19 vaccine in January 2020. Dedicated vaccine funding helped move vaccine candidates through the pre-clinical/clinical assessments and trials both quickly and thoughtfully. This has enabled researchers to advance into phase 3 clinical trials (testing the vaccine on large groups of people to evaluate safety and effectiveness) in six months instead of the typical two years. The vaccine was mass produced before the clinical studies were complete to save time.
Do COVID-19 mRNA vaccines have long-term effects?
The Pfizer and Moderna vaccines were created using messenger RNA (or mRNA) technology, which has been used for about 10 years in cancer treatment, with no long-term effects detected. And even before that, scientists had been working with mRNA technology for years. 3. mRNA technology does not alter your DNA.
Why did the CDC among other reasons recommend the mRNA COVID-19 vaccines over the Johnson & Johnson vaccine?
In December, the CDC recommended a preference for the two mRNA vaccines over J&J in response to concerns that had been building over a small, but growing number of cases of a rare, but serious clotting disorder in people who’d gotten the shot.
What is the first drug that was approved by the FDA to treat COVID-19?
Remdesivir is the first drug approved by the FDA for treatment of hospitalized COVID patients over the age of 12.
How does the mRNA COVID-19 vaccine compare to natural immunity?
Vaccination-induced immunity provides greater and broader protection than natural immunity. That being said, all forms of immunity wane over time which is why booster doses of an mRNA vaccine are recommended for all eligible individuals.
Do mRNA COVID-19 vaccines cause heart inflammation?
These cases typically occur in male adolescents and young adults after the second dose, and within a week of vaccination. It is important to seek medical care if symptomatic (chest pain, shortness of breath, having a fast beating, fluttering, or pounding heart).
Are there any COVID-19 vaccines linked to myocarditis?
Only the mRNA vaccines (Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna) have been linked with myocarditis. Myocarditis related to COVID-19 vaccines seems to be caused by the body’s immune response to vaccination.
Can COVID-19 cause heart problems?
For people who have had COVID-19, lingering COVID-19 heart problems can complicate their recovery.
Some of the symptoms common in coronavirus “long-haulers,” such as palpitations, dizziness, chest pain and shortness of breath, may be due to heart problems — or, just from having been ill with COVID-19.
What are the average ages of people who had myocarditis after mRNA-based COVID-19 vaccination during the first 8 months of 2021?
Of the 1626 reports that met the CDCs case definition for myocarditis, 1195 (73%) were younger than 30 years of age, 543 (33%) were younger than 18 years of age, and the median age was 21 years (IQR, 16-31 years) (Figure 1).
How can you minimize the rare risk of myocarditis due to a COVID-19 vaccination?
A longer time between the 1st and 2nd primary doses may increase how much protection the vaccines offer, and further minimize the rare risk of myocarditis and pericarditis.
How do you know if you have myocarditis from the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine?
Symptoms include chest pain, palpitations (the feeling of one’s heart beating very fast), and shortness of breath. If your child develops any of these symptoms after receiving the COVID-19 vaccine, please contact your pediatrician and seek medical care.
How common is myocarditis in young men during the COVID-19 pandemic?
The researchers found an excess rate of myocarditis of 3.26 per 100,000 individuals within 28 days of a positive COVID-19 test among all males, and 1.37 per 100,000 individuals among males 16 to 24 years of age.
Are males at increased risk of developing myocarditis from COVID-19?
Conclusions: Myocarditis (or pericarditis or myopericarditis) from primary COVID19 infection occurred at a rate as high as 450 per million in young males. Young males infected with the virus are up 6 times more likely to develop myocarditis as those who have received the vaccine.
Can COVID-19 cause myocarditis?
An analysis of almost 400 patients with myocarditis linked with COVID-19 illness found that about 15% died within 6 months. Myocarditis linked with COVID-19 illness may also be more severe because these patients are usually older and have other health conditions that increase their risk of complications.
Can a mRNA COVID-19 vaccine increase the risk of myocarditis?
Previous research from around the world, including reports from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, has shown a potential increased risk of myocarditis after receiving an mRNA COVID-19 vaccine.
Are long term side effects possible with the COVID-19 vaccine?
Benefits of Vaccination Outweigh the Risks Serious side effects that could cause a long-term health problem are extremely unusual following any vaccination, including COVID-19 vaccination.