Understanding how various vaccine technologies function within the immune system to offer protection against COVID-19 vaccines helps lower the chances of becoming sick, suffering from severe illness, or even dying from the virus.
But how do the distinct sorts of vaccines work?
Each type of COVID-19 vaccine helps the immune system produce a protein known as antibodies.
These proteins fight off infection by targeting the virus. The virus uses a structure called an S protein on its surface, which is used to enter human cells.
There are several main types of COVID-19 vaccines
Messenger RNA (mRNA) Vaccine
An mRNA vaccine provides instructions to the body’s cells on how to produce the S protein, which is located on the surface of the virus.
After receiving the vaccine, the frame’s muscle cells use these instructions to make the protein and show it on their surfaces. This triggers the immune system to create antibodies. If someone later becomes infected with the virus, these antibodies help fight it off.
Once the body has used the instructions, it breaks them down and removes them.
The mRNA within the vaccine no longer enters the nucleus of the cell, where DNA is stored. Both the Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna vaccines are based on a technology that uses messenger RNA, or mRNA. Read more…
Vector Vaccine
In this type of vaccine, genetic material from the virus that causes COVID-19 is included. This genetic material is placed inside a modified model of some other virus, referred to as a viral vector.
The vector helps the body’s cells make copies of a specific protein found on the surface of the COVID-19 virus, known as the S protein.
When these proteins appear on the surface of the cells, the immune system responds by creating antibodies and defense cells, such as white blood cells.
If someone becomes infected later, these antibodies can help the immune system fight the virus.
It is important to note that vector vaccines cannot cause infection with the actual virus or the viral vector used in the vaccine.
The Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine was a viral vector vaccine, but it is no longer used in the United States. Read more…
Protein Subunit Vaccine
Subunit vaccines contain only specific parts of the virus that are most effective in stimulating the immune system.
These vaccines use harmless S proteins. When the immune system detects these proteins, it produces antibodies and defense cells. If someone becomes infected later, the antibodies can help eliminate the virus.
The Novavax vaccine is an example of a subunit vaccine, which works by using only parts of the virus to trigger an immune response. Read more…
Availability of COVID-19 vaccines
- The Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine is available for individuals aged 6 months and older for the 2024-2025 season.
- The Moderna COVID-19 vaccine for the 2024-2025 formula is available for individuals aged 6 months and older.
- The Novavax COVID-19 vaccine is also available.
Getting vaccinated is important because these vaccines are updated and provide the best protection against COVID-19 according to the recommended schedule.
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