1/ Are RNA vaccines safe? I have gotten this question a lot lately, and it is a good question.

2/ First: RNA is messages. At any moment a human cell has 5000+ different RNA messages, and they are all temporary messages, like post-it notes that get torn up by the cells within minutes or hours after being read.

3/ Or, actually, RNA is like snapchat messages that expire. RNA vaccines do NOT become a permanent part of your body. They are temporary messages instructing cells to make one viral protein temporarily.

4/ Second, in the case of RNA COVID-19 vaccines, the RNA message is for 1 single coronavirus protein. It takes 25 different coronavirus proteins to make a coronavirus, so there is no worry about the RNA making a virus.

5/ Third, over 70,000 doses of these COVID-19 RNA vaccines have been given to people now, and the independent safety boards (not controlled by the companies) have reported no serious concerns. That’s a lot of safety data!

6/ Now, it will certainly be good to see the full safety data when the clinical trial results become public, but it looks good.

7/ Lastly, regarding these vaccines and vaccines in general, “safe" does not mean the same thing as “did not hurt at all” or “no fever” for a little while. The immune system tends to only remember things that hurt somewhat. Not unlike going to the gym and getting exercise

8/ and really sore muscles; a bit of pain can be a positive sign that good things are happening. Sometimes you have to earn your immunity, just like you have to earn those biceps you wanted so bad.

9/ An immunization is probably going to hurt some, and that’s generally a good sign. You are earning your immunity.