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THREAD ON COVID-19 VACCINE:
Moderna made a new mRNA based vaccine. What does this mean? mRNA vaccine gives us a set of instructions to make a harmless version of a viral protein so our immune system can target it and remember what to do if we get COVID-19 for real.
Moderna made a new mRNA based vaccine. What does this mean? mRNA vaccine gives us a set of instructions to make a harmless version of a viral protein so our immune system can target it and remember what to do if we get COVID-19 for real.
We have mRNA in our bodies already, so this is safer than other vaccines that have a weak version of the virus. mRNA is broken down quickly so after we make a few copies of this protein and our immune cells train, there isn't anything from the vaccine left except immunity
Normally, vaccine development involves:
Research: how the virus works, looking for vaccine targets
Pre-clinical trials: animal/cell/tissue testing
3 phase clinical trials on ppl
Government review/approval
Manufacturing
Research: how the virus works, looking for vaccine targets
Pre-clinical trials: animal/cell/tissue testing
3 phase clinical trials on ppl
Government review/approval
Manufacturing
Phases of clinical trials:
Phase 1:<100 young, healthy ppl and checking: is it safe? serious side effects? does it work? what dose works best?
Phase 2:100+ ppl, all ages and checking: it safe on a diverse group? what side effects appear on a diverse group?
Phase 1:<100 young, healthy ppl and checking: is it safe? serious side effects? does it work? what dose works best?
Phase 2:100+ ppl, all ages and checking: it safe on a diverse group? what side effects appear on a diverse group?
Phase 3:10k-100k+ ppl, all ages, w/ppl who have existing conditions and checking: Does it stop COVID-19? how does it impact the elderly/ill/different ethnicities?
The fastest vaccine made took 5 years, what's different for this vaccine?
- No need to stop at each stage and wait for $$$
- We know a lot about this virus bc of how similar it is SARS/MERS, we had vaccines in development for those viruses that were adapted to COVID-19
- No need to stop at each stage and wait for $$$
- We know a lot about this virus bc of how similar it is SARS/MERS, we had vaccines in development for those viruses that were adapted to COVID-19
- Lots of research was done early, COVID-19 DNA was sequenced in Jan, we didn't have to spend as much time figuring out how it works
- mRNA vaccines can be made quickly compared to traditional vaccines
- Phase 1 and 2 trials were combined/happened at the same time
- mRNA vaccines can be made quickly compared to traditional vaccines
- Phase 1 and 2 trials were combined/happened at the same time
Did combining the trials mean there was less testing?
No, all the normal tests were done, they just were prepared to pause and restart development if issues came up and were constantly watching results.
No, all the normal tests were done, they just were prepared to pause and restart development if issues came up and were constantly watching results.
The results as of now show that the vaccine is more than 94% effective and most side effects are mild/moderate
Severe side effects were fatigue and muscle pain (<10%), joint pain, headache, pain, redness at the injection (<5%) but were temporary
Severe side effects were fatigue and muscle pain (<10%), joint pain, headache, pain, redness at the injection (<5%) but were temporary
This is first vaccine out, as more are made in 2021 and as results come in, we'll have more info and be able to compare properly to see if there are vaccines that are more effective or safer or have less side effects
goodnight y'all lmk if this makes sense or if its exam induced rambling
