One of the many wrenching consequences of our completely inadequate science education and tolerance of conspiracy theories.

If every American truly understood how mRNA vaccines worked, perhaps we would not be so easily deluded by these patently false ideas. https://twitter.com/bylenasun/status/1346267218682802180

My brilliant colleagues @bylenasun @Carolynyjohnson @lauriemcginley2 have written comprehensive answers to all your vaccine questions -- including safety concerns. https://www.washingtonpost.com/health/interactive/2020/covid-vaccines-what-you-need-to-know/

*Please* don't worry about the vaccine affecting your DNA.

Messenger RNA, the molecule that is the foundation of the Pfizer & Moderna vaccines, never enters the nucleus, where your DNA is stored. It cannot affect your genes.

What it actually does is pretty cool. Your cells use messenger RNA (mRNA) to "read" your genes and deliver the info to molecular machines that make proteins.

The vaccine contains mRNA instructions for making the spike protein on the coronavirus, so your body can recognize it.

The spike protein that the vaccine codes for is completely harmless, since there’s no virus attached – it’s like a bullet with no gun. And mRNA gets broken down after the cell finishes reading it, so there’s no risk of it hanging around and causing problems.

But since your body knows what the spike protein looks like, it's able to start producing antibodies. If and when you are exposed to the coronavirus, the antibody cavalry will already be in place, able to clear the virus from your system before it can make you sick.