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I had a lot of questions about the mRNA COVID vaccine, so I spoke with a good friend who is a research scientist. I am NOT a research scientist but here is how she broke this down in big bird/cookie monster language for me to understand...
1.Although the mRNA technology seems ânewââŚits actually been in development for over 20 years. Scientists and researchers were able to develop a COVID vaccine rapidly because so much work has been previously done.
2. The mechanism in which the immunity/protection against the pathogen is still the sameâŚmeaning you are teaching your immune system to recognize a part of the bad pathogen.
3. When it comes to mRNA vaccines, there should be less side effects, while being faster, cheaper and safer to make, since it wonât be made in eggs like other vaccines. For people with egg allergies that cannot do traditional vaccines, itâs a game changer.
4. mRNA is notoriously unstable, which is why it requires such cold storage. This leads to the next thought.
5. I asked about the rumor about the vaccine changing your DNA, which I was genuinely concerned about. Her response: mRNA cannot become part of any of your cells. Once it does its job, (makes protein for immune system to recognize) it gets degraded/destroyed by the body.
6. Since mRNA is broken down right after use, itâs unlikely to have long term effects.
7. She also told me there is no way to get the disease from mRNA alone.
7. She also told me there is no way to get the disease from mRNA alone.
8. If these were âDNA vaccinesâ you could possibly be concerned with it integrating into cells permanently, which could pose a long term cancer risk. However, these are NOT DNA vaccines.
9. One caveat she explained: DNA-based vaccines have a lot of promise for preventing germ-line cancers. So they apparently have their own use.
10. This is not to start an argument about vaccines. I had my own questions, and I decided to speak with a friend who is in the medical research industry, because she always helps me understand things a little better. I wanted to share that with you. Take it or leave it.
11. Do not @ me about your things youâve heard about vaccines from sources that are not reputable or internet hot takes. Thatâs not the point.
12. I encourage you to read up on the vaccine from reputable publications. Personal or influencer blogs and social media posts/memes donât count. Understand the source. Be skeptical of that source.
13. Talk to your doctor about your questions. A doctor, a scientist, a researcherâŚcredible, reputable sources that you trust. Again, not random gossip on the internet.
14. You donât even need to listen to me. Again, I spoke with a reputable friend in medical research that I trust, who I know can break things down simply for me to understand. I wanted to share with you in case you are curious also.
15. Iâm pretty sure this was the most basic of explanations as well, as she knows Iâm not a scientist, and we were also corresponding via text.
16. If you have curiosities, concerns, questions, about the vaccine (or anything) I implore you to be eager to find reputable resources for research, and reputable people in science to get answers. Let's not write things off because we don't immediately understand them.
Seek knowledge, seek understanding, seek common ground. Have a good day. 
again, don't @ me
