By Elizabeth Prom-Wormley
Introduction: Still have question about the COVID-19 vaccines? So did we! Read below to learn more about how vaccines work and the COVID-19 vaccines.
What is a Vaccine and how do they work?
A vaccine introduces a weakened germ (virus or bacteria) to your immune system. The introduction of the weakened germ to the body allows the body to defend itself from future infections from that germ. The weakened version of the germ makes sure that it does not cause serious harm to the body.
Vaccines currently exist for many diseases including:
- Seasonal Flu
- Measles
- Chickenpox
- Mumps
How do the COVID-19 vaccines work?
Currently there are three FDA emergency authorized COVID-19 vaccines:
- Pfizer-BioNTech (mRNA) – 2 doses
- Moderna (mRNA) – 2 doses
- Johnson & Johnson Janssen (Viral Vector) – 1 dose
mRNA Vaccines
The Pfizer and Moderna COVID-19 vaccines use mRNA (messenger RNA), instead of a weakened germ, to protect the body from infection. mRNA contains the information our cells use to make copies of the “spike protein” found on the outside of the COVID-19 virus. The spike proteins allow the virus to attach to human cells and cause infection. The mRNA does not last after the cells use it to make copies of the spike protein.
The body’s immune system recognizes that the spike proteins are not supposed to be there and begins to train itself against the virus by sending out a small army of its defenses. The immune system treats the copies of spike proteins like an invader and produces antibodies so that it can remember that this spike protein will make the body sick in the future.
Now the body knows how to protect itself against spike proteins located on the outside of the virus. After a person has been vaccinated, the body will be able to protect itself quickly if the virus is introduced again. Therefore, the mRNA vaccines are one tool to protect a person from becoming very sick with COVID-19.
Viral Vector Vaccine
The Johnson & Johnson Janssen vaccine is a viral vector vaccination. This type of vaccine uses another virus (vector) to give instructions to the body. The virus contains the information our cells use to make copies of the spike protein found on the outside of the COVID-19 virus. Like the mRNA vaccines, viral vector vaccines are a tool to protect a person from COVID-19.
Even with these vaccines being made available it is important to continue wearing mask, washing hands, and maintaining physical distance of six feet. Additional resources and information on COVID-19 vaccines can be found below.
More about the Johnson & Johnson Janssen Vaccine Pause
Why was the Johnson & Johnson vaccine paused?
Reports of a rare and severe blood clot was reported to the Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System (VAERS) as a result of Johnson & Johnson Janssen vaccine. On April 13, 2021 the six cases of blood clotting was announced by the FDA and CDC. These announcements led to pausing the use of the Johnson & Johnson Janssen Vaccine in the United States.
Who is affected?
The VAERS reports show that all cases occurred in individuals who identify as women and are between 18 and 59 years old. Symptoms appeared 6 to 15 days after the person received the vaccination. Women in this age range, specifically those under 50 years old, are more likely to develop a blood clot from the Johnson & Johnson Janssen vaccine.
What we know about blood clotting.
In these specific blood clotting cases, individuals with the cerebral venous sinus thrombosis (CVST) blood clot also had low levels of blood platelets (thrombocytopenia). The risk of developing the blood clot is rare. Individuals should pay attention to the following symptoms for the three weeks after receiving the Johnson & Johnson Janssen vaccine:
- Headaches
- Blurry vision
- Chest pain
- Leg pain and swelling
- Abdominal pain
- Bruising or blood spots under the skin of the vaccination site
A person should see a doctor if any of these symptoms occur.
Is the Johnson & Johnson Janssen vaccine safe?
During the pause the FDA and CDC examined data to determine if it was safe to continue using the vaccine. The FDA and CDC found the Johnson & Johnson Janssen vaccine to be safe and suggest continuing use in the United States. Currently, the the benefits of the vaccine are greater than the potential risk. Investigations will continue into the potential risk of the rare blood clot.
Below is a link to the Vaccine Flyer (In Spanish).
Additional Resources
- For more information on vaccines and the diseases they prevent visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention webpage: https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/vpd/vaccines-diseases.html
- FAQ on COVID-19 Vaccinations: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/vaccines/faq.html
References
- https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/vpd/vpd-vac-basics.html
- https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/hcp/conversations/understanding-vacc-work.html
- https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/vpd/vaccines-list.html
- https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/vaccines/different-vaccines/mrna.html
- https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/vaccines/different-vaccines/viralvector.html
- https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/vaccines/keythingstoknow.html?CDC_AA_refVal=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.cdc.gov%2Fcoronavirus%2F2019-ncov%2Fvaccines%2F8-things.html
- https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/vaccines/safety/JJUpdate.html?s_cid=10931:cdc%20johnson%20and%20johnson%20vaccine:sem.ga:p:RG:GM:gen:PTN:FY21
- https://www.fda.gov/news-events/press-announcements/fda-and-cdc-lift-recommended-pause-johnson-johnson-janssen-covid-19-vaccine-use-following-thorough
- https://www.fda.gov/news-events/press-announcements/joint-cdc-and-fda-statement-johnson-johnson-covid-19-vaccine
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