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| Science & Technology |
| Five things you need to know about: mRNA vaccine safety |
| 2021-02-02 |
| [HorizonMagazine] 1. mRNA vaccine technology is not entirely new Vaccines such as the inactivated polio vaccine, or most flu vaccines, use inactivated viruses to trigger a person’s immune system to respond to that disease-causing organism. ...mRNA vaccines, however, trick the body into making the viral protein itself which, in turn, triggers an immune response. Although the COVID-19 vaccines made by Pfizer/BioNTech are the first mRNA vaccines to complete all clinical trial stages and be licensed for use, the technology has been around for a while. Human trials of cancer vaccines using the same mRNA technology have been taking place since at least 2011. ’If there was a real problem with the technology, we’d have seen it before now for sure,’ said Prof. Goldman. Because the technology can be deployed extremely rapidly, and clinical trials have been so successful, mRNA platforms will be an important means of preparing for future epidemics, he says. 2. mRNA vaccines do not alter your DNA A concern that some have had about the mRNA vaccines is that they could change people’s DNA. But that idea is ’completely false’ and has ’no scientific basis’, says Prof. Goldman. ’The (vaccine) mRNA will not enter the nucleus of the cells, where our DNA is.’ Once the injected mRNA enters a human cell, it degrades quickly and only stays in the body for a couple of days. This is why people need two injections to develop the best immune response, he says. And even if they do - so what? According to some authors, half the junk DNA in our bodies is of viral origin. 3. mRNA vaccines are very specific ... 4. Corners were not cut in the clinical trials and approvals process Vaccine trials take place in stages, starting with trials on animals, and then three trials on people — Phase 1, Phase 2 and finally Phase 3. The Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine Phase 3 trial involved more than 40,000 people. It began in July and will continue to collect efficacy and safety data for another two years. Safety issues that would affect significant numbers of vaccines mostly appear within two months, Prof. Goldman says. However, after a vaccine is given to millions of people, very rare side effects that cannot be anticipated from clinical trials might develop, so researchers and regulators will be keeping a close eye on how the vaccine rollout goes. This will be especially important for Covid-19 vaccines based on innovative technology. Regulatory agencies reviewed the data from Covid-19 vaccine trials more quickly than usual by looking at it on a rolling basis rather than only once the trials were complete, but they did not fundamentally change their rules. ’I really don’t think that corners were cut in terms of safety,’ said Prof. Goldman. 5. The vaccine triggers an inflammatory response The vaccine partly works by inducing local inflammatory reactions to trigger the immune system. This means that it’s normal for many people to experience pain at the site of the injection and sometimes fever and discomfort for one or two days after the vaccine. ’This is something that has not been advertised enough,’ says Prof. Goldman. A November survey in 15 countries found 54% of people were worried about possible side effects from a Covid-19 vaccine. One unwanted response to the Pfizer-BioNTech mRNA vaccine came to light during the first day of mass vaccination in the UK after two people with a history of significant allergies reacted to the injection. The UK regulatory authority updated its advice to specify that people with a history of anaphylaxis to medicine or food should not get the shot. In the clinical trials, allergic reactions occurred in 0.63% of people given the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine, and in 0.5% of people given a placebo. |
| Posted by:g(r)omgoru |
| #23 Apparently now we can eliminate any committee assignments for The Squadâ„¢ with all their Joooo Control Hysteria conspiracy rants? |
| Posted by: Frank G 2021-02-02 20:09 |
| #22 mild aches/pains/chills after second dose. Rejoice. These, markers of secondary response, mean the vaccine worked |
| Posted by: g(r)omgoru 2021-02-02 18:39 |
| #21 Here: Israel’s vaccine drive slowing, with clinics struggling to bring people in Some HMOs now offering inoculations to all to avoid wasting vials; one said to throw out 1,000 doses On the other hand, my healthy, independent, 95-year old mother has twice been turned away from getting the vaccine — though she should have been among the first group to receive it — because her retirement home was only issued enough doses by CVS to give to the skilled nursing (2 doses each) and dementia (first dose) units plus all building staff who were interested. At least half the staff won’t be carrying the infection to the rest of the residents, which is something. Here in Ohio, it appears, the jabs are being given as soon as they arrive — interest has not yet faded. |
| Posted by: trailing wife 2021-02-02 18:12 |
| #20 Republicans can be kooks, too. And Jewish space laser Greene is a kook. |
| Posted by: European Conservative 2021-02-02 18:02 |
| #19 Have they exhausted the eager and willing already? Among the groups already permitted to get vaccines, Angstrom, quite possibly. There was an article in The Times of Israel yesterday saying exactly that about the Israeli population. Let me go find it. |
| Posted by: trailing wife 2021-02-02 18:00 |
| #18 I had to do a little digging, 49 Pan (#14) - Hydroxychloroquine has been suggested to be a zinc ionophore, and may derive an anti-cancer action from increasing intracellular zinc uptake.[43] [Wikipedia] |
| Posted by: Bobby 2021-02-02 14:58 |
| #17 It is interesting to see how hard they are flogging the vaccine already. Didn't think this would happen until summer. Have they exhausted the eager and willing already? |
| Posted by: Angstrom 2021-02-02 14:10 |
| #16 ^p.s. Coronaviruses are different from influenza viruses. Influenza has, what amounts to, genetic recombination. Briefly: influenza genome is comprised of 8 molecules. So, if you have a cell infected by two different strains the probability of unmixed offspring is 1/2^8x2. So, any beneficial (to the virus) mutation spreads much faster than in coronaviruses. |
| Posted by: g(r)omgoru 2021-02-02 13:31 |
| #15 #4 The reason I'm skeptical re vaccines efficiency is the paper at the link 35 Years of Research Into Coronavirus Infections Show Long-Term Immunity Is Unlikely What you have to understand is that we don't know anything about how immune memory works despite using it for 1000 years. |
| Posted by: g(r)omgoru 2021-02-02 13:29 |
| #14 I so agree with you TW. And as the truth slowly comes out more and more people will be enraged. For example the whole HCL debacle. Just what is HCL??? Most Americans don't look past the headlines, it's actually a Zinc Ionophore. Yup, a zinc with a fat soluble additive. Just how could they tell you to take Zinc and Quercetin, another Zinc Ionophore, and say HCL does not work. The fraud runs amok here and they want me to trust them. |
| Posted by: 49 Pan 2021-02-02 12:56 |
| #13 This won't stop the feds from requiring proof of vaccination for everyday activities such as travel, banking, shopping (including food). They may well try, at least in Democrat-run communities and states. But as the numbers of hospitalizations and deaths continue to fall significantly after many of the most susceptible have chosen to be vaccinated (23 million in the U.S. alone have received at least the first shot as of the last time I looked)— coupled with the drive to publicize the improved numbers to make President Biden look so much better than OrangeManBad, who made it all happen — the pressure to enforce will no longer be accepted. Already in California and elsewhere businesses are refusing to remain closed and refusing to enforce distancing requirements, and noncompliance will continue to spread. The tipping point is coming. |
| Posted by: trailing wife 2021-02-02 12:42 |
| #12 ^ Pan echoes my thoughts as well. Experimental vaccine with questionable efficacy against an affliction that - in my age/co-morbidity group - has a 99.5% survival rate...no thanks. This won't stop the feds from requiring proof of vaccination for everyday activities such as travel, banking, shopping (including food). Papers please. How about Amazon asking for your Vacc. number before completing a purchase? not out of the question. COVID funds from Uncle Sugar? not until you provide proof of vacc. Welcome to 1930's Germany. |
| Posted by: Warthog 2021-02-02 12:15 |
| #11 I have recv'd both doses of the Moderna vax with mild aches/pains/chills after second dose. My better half has recv'd her first dose of the Pfizer with no problem. Will report back after she receives second. The virus damn near killed my parents four weeks ago...it is no joke. |
| Posted by: Tennessee 2021-02-02 12:14 |
| #10 Useful, but we have seen this before. Lets hold it for a year and see. I do remember the same type of, you don't need to worry, literature that came out over the Anthrax vaccine. First it was its safe and it went through full trials. Then it was your reactions have nothing to do with it. Then it was, well, there was a bad lot. Then it was oh, ya it does screw you up. So while I appreciate it, any vaccine rushed to market is suspect. When they explain the recent uptick of deaths to old folks taking it, but its safe, without blaming preexisting conditions it might be ok for use. Sorry, I'll take my chances with a virus that has a better than 99% survival rate. |
| Posted by: 49 Pan 2021-02-02 11:47 |
| #9 @ #5 - My post was partly in jest. Of course the friggen common cold doesn't generally kill people or put them into the hospital. But are we going to shut the world economy down for each and every RNA virus in the future? The bar's been set. And Trump is no longer president, so we'll see. Meanwhile, you people can have your vaccine(s). Have all you want. I'll pass...as long as I am able. |
| Posted by: Clem 2021-02-02 11:36 |
| #8 /\ If it fails, it's Trump's fault. If it's successful, then, well.... |
| Posted by: Clem 2021-02-02 11:28 |
| #7 Just as a thought experiment - if there were significant questions about the safety or efficacy of the vaccines, do you think the MSM would be reporting it? |
| Posted by: Angstrom 2021-02-02 11:15 |
| #6 This seems to be consistent with the Rantburg post on Saturday last. |
| Posted by: Bobby 2021-02-02 10:55 |
| #5 Common cold is a GROUP of single strand RNA viruses that frequently mutate. So need multiple specific proteins, and the need to change frequently. That’s a lot of effort. And the common cold does not generally hospitalize and kill people, unlike SARS/MERS/COVID19. Apples and oranges, the error/fallacy of ignoring context. |
| Posted by: Greater the Anonymous5721 2021-02-02 10:55 |
| #4 So if this egesta is such, well, hot egesta, and the common cold or the flu is a coronavirus, well...? |
| Posted by: Clem 2021-02-02 10:32 |
| #3 We'll be finding out, I guess. Maybe you could shine your expertise on which vaccines are being distributed in various localities and what type each vaccine is? Here in F-L-A, I'm expecting my 61 year-old a$$ won't even be eligible to get it until after the 4th of July. I guess I'm fortunate I have been naturally immune so far... |
| Posted by: M. Murcek 2021-02-02 10:21 |
| #2 ^De nada. Mind you, I'm not sure they're effective. |
| Posted by: g(r)omgoru 2021-02-02 10:11 |
| #1 Useful post of the day. Thanks, G... |
| Posted by: M. Murcek 2021-02-02 10:10 |