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Genoa. Health centers will receive it in early January, then the massive campaign will start with 202 million doses to be given free. Someone will rush to have it before others, many will maintain the attitude of waiting, others have already decided to abstain as it will probably not be mandatory. As the world prepares for the Covid vaccine, we have tried to better understand how it works with the help of Chiara Dentone, specialist in infectious diseases at the San Martino Hospital in Genoa who works inteam by Matteo Bassetti and specializes in the subject.
Is it true that this vaccine works differently from others?
Those from Pfizer and Moderna are among the first mRNA vaccines and it is the first time that such a vaccine will be administered to the population, even if two others have already been tested. The other vaccines in common use work thanks to the inoculation of live, inactivated or attenuated viruses, which instead contain a single particle, which is messenger RNA. Basically it is the molecule that carries information of our DNA from the nucleus to another part of the cell.
And what is the benefit?
A genetic sequence can be inserted into these vaccines that induces the production of other proteins, that is, antigens that determine an immune response in the body. In particular, messenger RNA binds within the protein-encoding lipid droplets. spike Rbd, which allows the coronavirus to infect cells. This way, when the virus tries to enter the cells, the mechanism will be activated automatically and it should not infect me.
So, there is no risk of getting Covid from getting vaccinated?
It would seem that not, and this would be the turning point. Then we will see the data on the large number of vaccinated people.
So what is the biggest risk from this vaccine?
This is actually much safer than other vaccines precisely because it does not contain an attenuated virus, but rather completely different information. This could make it more useful and secure. The AstraZeneca vaccine, on the other hand, has a viral vector and does not have lipid nanoparticles, so it may be more risky than a non-viral vector like the one other companies have used. In short, the big challenge will be to see if it works.
Are you telling us that the biggest risk will be that it is less effective than expected?
In fact, it is. And therefore it will be much more risky not to carry out adequate vaccination campaigns. In England they are about to start, we will have a month of advantage to see what happens. I am very confident, it is a great innovation that could offer surprising results in the future and in any case represents an opportunity to defeat the pandemic.
In your opinion, is it correct that it is not mandatory?
Instinctively, perhaps I would say no, aware of the situation that we lived here in March-April and until a few weeks ago. I would like to say that I would like it to be mandatory because we have had so many deaths. The most ethical option is not to make it mandatory, but rather it is strongly recommended, based on the civic sense of the population. We take into account that in order to have optimal coverage, around 60-70% of the population should be vaccinated, not only in the highest risk groups, but also in a transversal way. Obviously young people will have to receive it later.
However, there will be some possible side effects.
Studies have shown minimal local effects, such as redness or pain where the vaccine is injected, to minimal systemic effects, such as fever and headache. No other problems are known at the moment. After that we really need to make a kind of leap of faith, pass the term, to science. Given the level of pandemic we have reached, having the vaccine is a radical change.
Could it work differently for different people?
Yes, because the immune response is variable. The mechanism of BoosterThat is, the second dose given four weeks apart should serve as a boost to produce more antibodies. It will remain part of the same vaccination package.
How long does the immunity offered by the vaccine last?
The antibody response appears to be able to protect the patient for up to 6-8 months after vaccine administration, but the data still refer to too short a period of time. There may be some type of annuity, that is, the need to repeat the vaccination as with the flu. At the moment, the virus in circulation appears to be always the same with minor mutations that have not changed its structure.
Are you optimistic?
I personally believe in that a lot. Obviously we will have a full part of deniers and non-vaxes who will only see the full negative part. I work in this field, I consult articles and scientific works, I trust and that is why I sponsor it.
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