COVID-19 Vaccine: All You Need to Know

 COVID-19 vaccinations have started all across the US.

If you're still unsure about the vaccination process, here are some of the most important questions that you might have about the vaccine answered.

A person receiving a vaccine injection

What Does the Vaccine Do?

Like other immunization vaccines, the COVID-19 vaccine helps the body develop immunity against the bacteria and virus that results in COVID-19. The vaccine allows the body to build up antibodies without an individual having to be exposed to the illness. The vaccine contains certain particles from the COVID-19 virus and injects the body with them so that it's left with "memory" defensive white blood cells. These white blood cells will attack the virus if the vaccinated individual were ever to get COVID-19.

How Many Vaccines Are There?

There are currently four different types of vaccines available for COVID-19: whole virus, protein sunbit, viral vector, and nucleic acid (RNA and DNA). Each of these protects people from the virus by building up immunity in a different way.

Currently, two vaccines are being administered in the USA; Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna.

COVID-19 vaccine bottles and a syringe

What Do Different Vaccines Do?

As mentioned before, different vaccines build immunity in different ways.

· Protein-based vaccines use harmless fragments of protein shells that mimic COVID-19 to build immunity.

· Nucleic acid (mRNA) vaccines employ the use of genetically engineered RNA to create a protein that prompts an immune response.

· Viral Vector vaccines use a virus that carries COVID-19 proteins to prompt an immune response.

· Weakened virus vaccines use an inactive or weakened form of the coronavirus to build up an immune response.

How Many Doses Are Needed?

Most vaccines require one does for full efficiency. However, the COVID-19 vaccine requires two doses to boost the immune system for optimal protection.

In terms of the Moderna and Pfizer vaccines, two doses need to be taken a few days apart; 28 days and  21 days, respectively. CDC recommends that the second dose be administered as close to the recommended dates as possible. However, if this isn’t a viable option, the second dose must be taken at least 42 days or six weeks after the first dose.

Getting your child immunized is the first step to them leading a healthy and happy life. Natomas Family Practice has several immunization specialists that can protect your child from a number of illnesses. A family practice based in Sacramento, they also have numerous urgent care services, senior care, women’s health care specialists, family medicine specialists, and more.

Get in touch with them at 916-928-0856 for more information.

 

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