TYPES OF COVID-19 VACCINES AND THEIR EFFECTIVENESS - BY ABDUL RAUF

 

  

COVID-19 has been a major health issue since 2019, and now COVID-19 vaccines are available. There are different types of vaccines available and their use may depend upon the type of coronavirus. The effectiveness of Corona vaccine is still under consideration and researchers are working to improve its value and quality.

There are two doses delivered to everyone with a specific period depending upon the type of COVID-19 vaccine. Some people who get vaccinated may suffer from mild health issues after the second dose. There are 102 vaccines under the research of which 33 are now free to use publicly. The side effects of the vaccine are also under consideration.

 

COVID-19 vaccine definition

It is the vaccine, that is used to produce antibodies in the human body against coronavirus and enhance the immune responses against the virus.

It may also be defined as “ the vaccine which is incorporated into the human body to make it immune against coronavirus.”

Like other vaccines, COVID-19 is also an authentic medication against the biggest health issues of the world.

 Types of COVID-19 vaccine

COVID-19 vaccines are now available all around the world. It is suggested to take the vaccine without waiting for a particular brand. The corona vaccine not only protects us from severe symptoms but also prevents exposure to the disease. It will help to prevent such a big health issue in the world. World Health Organization and several other health organizations have accepted the effectiveness of the vaccine. There are different types of vaccines.

 1.      Messenger RNA (mRNA) vaccine

This kind of corona vaccine uses messenger RNA to give instructions to the cells for the formation of s protein on the surface of the virus.

Mode of action

After taking the dose of the COVID-19 vaccine, the immune system starts making S protein and displays it on the surface of cells. This will generate antibodies in our immune system and increases its effectiveness. If you get exposure to COVID-19 these antibodies will fight against the virus. Messenger RNA undergoes breakdown immediately, after providing instructions to the cell and will not disturb human RNA.

There are two types of vaccines using a massager RNA

·         Pfizer-BioNTech

·         ModernaCOVID-19 vaccine

 

 Vector vaccine

It is another type of vaccine in which genetic material from coronavirus is used in a modified version.

Mode of action

When the vector entered the cell, it delivers information for the formation of S protein. This protein is displayed on the surface of cells and generates antibodies. After it, the vaccine will prevent coronavirus exposure and will fight against it. This vector will not be part of our DNA and does not affect human genetic material.

There are two types of vector vaccines available

·         Jassen/ Johnson and Johnson

·         AstraZeneca

 

3.      Protein subunit vaccine

This type of vaccine does not have any DNA or RNA. It has a part of the virus that can stimulate the immune system.

Mode of action

This type of corona vaccine has beneficial S protein. When it is incorporated into our body, the immune system detects S protein and creates antibodies against the virus as well as white blood cells. If someone, who has been vaccinated, gets exposed to the COVID-19 virus, these antibodies will fight against it.

Novavax is a protein subunit vaccine.

4.      Whole virus

It is a type of vaccine in which the whole of the virus is used to trigger immune responses. It is not the most common type of vaccine due to its compromised effectiveness.

Mode of action

In this vaccine, the weakened coronavirus is used, which can replicate further. It can divide but is unable to create illness. It is a conventional method to prepare a vaccine. It can trigger immune responses but in persons with weak immune systems, it may cause disease.

 

What is the number of doses of each COVID19 vaccine?

  

Some vaccines required two doses for full protection, while some required only one dose.

·         Two doses vaccine

The vaccine required two doses are:

1.      Pfizer-BioNTech

2.      Moderna COVID-19 vaccine

·         One dose of vaccine

The vaccine required one dose is:

1.      Johnson and Johnson’s Janssen COVID-19 vaccine.

 

How long after the vaccine you will be protected?

It takes two weeks to get complete protection against COVID-19. The vaccine having one dose only, make you immune against the virus after 2 weeks of the vaccination.

The vaccine has two doses of medicine, protect you completely after 2 weeks of the second dose. The time between the two weeks is essential for the formation of antibodies in the body against the virus.

 

Possible side effects of the COVID-19 vaccine

The vaccines of COVID-19 are help full to protect you against the virus. But as these COVID-19 vaccines are protecting against major health issues, they may have some side effects.

Not every individual who gets the vaccine will suffer from the side effects. Some individuals don’t show the response while others may bear mild side effects. Some serious side effects that could cause severe health issues are not likely to occur. According to some researches, side effects of the COVID-19 vaccine may occur within 6 weeks of the vaccine.

Common side effects of the Corona vaccine

Two types of side effects may occur

At the site of the injection

There may be

·         Pain

·         Redness

·         Swelling

 On the whole body

There may be

·         Tiredness in the whole body

·         Pain

·         Headache

·         Pain in different muscle

·         Chill

·         Nausea

·         Fever

·         Sometimes vomiting

 How to relieve side effects?

 If the side effects are not severe, you may relieve them at home.

·         Apply a clean and wet piece of cloth at the area of injection

·         You can apply ice at the site of the injection

·         Move your arm or you can do some exercise

·         Use plenty of fluid such as juice and water.

·         Use a pain killer according to the advice of the Doctor

 If you see some serious side effects after the corona vaccine, you should go to the doctor for a proper check up.

Effectiveness of COVID-19 vaccine against coronavirus

All COVID-19 vaccines, that are available all around the world are effective and show positive results against the virus.

·         According to researches, the messenger RNA COVID-19 vaccine is only an important means to prevent coronavirus.

·         The benefits of the COVID-19 vaccine are greater than its side effects. So it is better to get vaccinated against Coronavirus as soon as possible.

·         For proper protection, you should take all the prescribed doses of the vaccine.

·         Coronavirus is one of the biggest health issues these days. Always follow the advice of researchers to enhance the effectiveness of your immune system against coronavirus.

·         If you take only one dose of the vaccine and miss the second dose, it will not enough to provide full protection.

·         The Working and effectiveness of the COVID-19 vaccines are still under research. It is admitted worldwide that these are more effective and have no severe kind of side effects.

·         A single dose of Janssen was observed in the clinical trials. It is proved that this has 66.9% effectiveness against such health issues.

·         According to NCOC, the vaccine is the only way that makes our immune system strong. Once we get vaccinated, our immune system recognizes it and remembers it. So can protect us from COVID-19 for the years, and maybe for the whole life.

 Effectiveness of corona vaccine according to FDA

 U.S Food and drugs administration (FDA) has proved the effectiveness of corona vaccines. According to the researches by the FDA, the corona vaccine:

·         Protects against coronavirus

·         Reduce the threat of infection

·         Protect us from minor illnesses caused by a coronavirus, when someone gets the contact with the virus.

·         Prevent severe health issues that led to hospitalization and death

·         Provide long-term protection against coronavirus.

·         Those who are vaccinated, show less severity of infection when they get the virus, compared to non vaccinated individuals.

 What type of vaccine is most effective against coronavirus?

 It is the most frequently asked question. All the vaccines available in the hospitals are authentic and have great effectiveness. These have passed through several clinical trials and then have been provided to the vaccination Centers.

  Why vaccination is important?

In this great health issue, millions of people passed away due to the absence of medication. All the researchers worked and found its effectiveness against coronavirus. The vaccine prevents us from the virus and helps us to be immune against the virus.

The only way to defeat the coronavirus is vaccination. Coronavirus spreads from person to person and causes disease. The person who is vaccinated can fight the virus and has fewer chances to bear the severe health issues.

How does the COVID-19 vaccine perform its function in the human body?

The vaccine identified germs such as coronavirus.

·    After identification, the immune system generates antibodies against the virus. Antibodies   are the specific proteins that fight against the virus or any other germs. Antibodies remember the disease and create a strong immunity to prevent the disease.