You may remember the Covid pandemic that turned our lives upside down. During that dark time, we were all hoping for a solution to overcome this pandemic. So, the Covid vaccine is a big light for that hope. But many people still have questions about this vaccine, and they have small fears in their hearts. So today, like a close friend, let's talk about this Covid vaccine in a simple way.
Simply put, what is this Covid vaccine?
The COVID vaccine is a treatment that trains your body to recognize and fight a COVID-19 infection quickly. It's like giving an army information about an enemy before it arrives and preparing it for battle. Because of this training, if you get the COVID virus, you either won't get sick at all, or you'll be able to survive with a much milder illness than someone who hasn't been vaccinated.
The first Covid vaccines were very effective against the original strain of the virus. But you know, viruses change over time. Like a thief changing their appearance. We call this mutating. So when new strains like Omicron came along, the effectiveness of the old vaccines decreased a bit. That's why the vaccines have been updated to be able to detect these new strains.
Is this new vaccine just a booster?
Although many people call these new vaccines "boosters," it's actually a little different.
- A booster is an additional dose of the same type of vaccine that is given to boost immunity when it wanes over time.
- An `Updated` vaccine is: A new vaccine designed to protect against a new strain of the virus.
This is like the flu shot that is given every year. The flu virus changes every year, so the vaccine is updated to match it.
How does the vaccine work inside the body?
To understand this, let's first take a look at how our body's defense system, the immune system, works.
Think of it this way: your body is a fortress. The immune system is the army in that fortress. Pathogens, like viruses and bacteria, are the enemies.
Every enemy has a special mark that can distinguish it from others. We call it an antigen. This mark of the Covid virus is the spike-like protein around the virus. It is called the spike protein.
When an enemy (virus) first enters the fortress, our army takes some time to figure out who this enemy is, what his special sign is, and to make the right weapons `(B-cells)` for it. This takes time, and that's why we get sick. But after winning the battle, our army keeps a "Wanted Poster" of this enemy, that is, a memory `(Memory B-cells)`.
The job of the vaccine is to provide our military with the "Wanted Poster" of the enemy before the real enemy (the virus) attacks. Then our military can study it, develop the necessary weapons for the fight, and be ready.
So the next time the real Covid virus enters the body, our army will recognize it on sight, attack it with pre-prepared weapons, and destroy it quickly. That's why we don't get sick, or we get a mild case.
What are the types of Covid vaccines?
There are several main types of Covid vaccines. They are designed according to the method of introducing that spike protein into our body.
| Type of vaccine | How it works | Examples |
|---|---|---|
| mRNA injections | What this does is give our cells a set of instructions (mRNA) that make a part of the virus (the spike protein). Our cells follow those instructions to make the spike protein, and the immune system recognizes it. | Pfizer-BioNTech, Moderna |
| Protein Subunit Vaccine | This involves introducing a part of the virus, the spike protein , into the body. The immune system sees this ready-made protein and learns to respond to it. | Novavax |
How do you prepare before getting vaccinated?
- If you have a habit of taking painkillers (e.g. Panadol, Ibuprofen), do not take them before the injection to avoid side effects. However, if side effects occur after the injection, there is nothing wrong with taking them as a treatment.
- Take your vaccination card.
- After the injection, you will be asked to wait for 15-30 minutes to see if there is any allergic reaction. Allow the necessary time for this.
What are the side effects and risks of the vaccine?
Like any vaccine, the Covid vaccine can cause minor side effects. These usually get better within a day or two. They are a sign that your immune system is starting to work.
Commonly seen minor side effects:
- Pain at the injection site
- Fatigue
- Headache
- Muscle pain
- Mild fever
Most importantly, all of these vaccines have been administered to millions of people around the world, and their safety and effectiveness have been proven . Serious complications from vaccines are extremely rare.
| When to seek medical advice | |
|---|---|
| Go to a hospital (ETU) immediately. | If you experience symptoms of a severe allergic reaction (anaphylaxis). Examples: difficulty breathing, swelling of the face, lips or throat, rash all over the body. |
| See your doctor. | If you experience chest pain, shortness of breath, or a feeling of rapid heartbeat (these may be signs of very rare conditions such as inflammation of the heart muscle (Myocarditis) or inflammation of the lining of the heart (Pericarditis). |
Who should not get the Covid vaccine?
- If you know you have a severe allergy to anything in the vaccine.
- If you have had a severe allergic reaction to a previous dose of the Covid vaccine.
- If you are currently infected with COVID (talk to your doctor about getting the vaccine about 3 months after recovery).
If you get vaccinated while you have COVID, your symptoms may get worse. You may also be able to spread the disease to others while you are getting vaccinated.
Take-Home Message
- The Covid vaccine is a very safe and effective way to protect against Covid-19.
- What the vaccine does is train your body's immune system to recognize and fight the virus.
- When the virus changes, it is common for vaccines to be updated to cope with it.
- Post-vaccination body aches and fever usually resolve within a day or two, indicating that your immune system is working.
- If you have any concerns, fears, or questions about the vaccine, it is very important to discuss them with your doctor .
💬 අදහස් (0)
තවමත් කිසිදු අදහසක් පළ කර නොමැත. ඔබේ අදහස පළමු වරට මෙහි එක් කරන්න.
ඔබේ අදහස එක් කරන්න