Researchers on how vaccines will affect us: They have been effective for at least a few months

Unusual properties of the vaccine molecule.

Professor Aurelija Žvirblienė from the VU Center for Life Sciences in the program Delphi Day highlighted several important characteristics of the vaccine molecule that may become a challenge for Lithuania.

“First of all, the vaccine that we will get first has a really unusual format. To date, these vaccines have not been used in either medicine or veterinary medicine. That feature is quite unusual. The RNA molecule has to enter our cell, the virus produces the protein in the cell and is already triggering an immune response. Another feature is that because the RNA molecule is relatively unstable, the vaccine must be transported at very low temperatures of -70 degrees. That’s the challenge when it comes to using this vaccine, ”the program said. Delphi Day the teacher spoke.

“The vaccine will be thawed at room temperature before vaccination. The person will definitely not be vaccinated at such a low temperature,” added the interlocutor.

It is safe?

Asked about the safety of the vaccine, Professor Vytautas Usonis assured that the vaccine molecule degrades fairly quickly and no longer has a long-term effect.

“It just came to our attention then. There is a lot of debate about a new class of RNA vaccines. This was mentioned by the professor, also because of the theoretical safety of what happens to an RNA molecule after it enters the vaccinated person, so the answers seem clear: it breaks down fairly quickly and no longer has a long-term effect, “the program said. professor.

The professor emphasizes that the vaccine is really safe and effective.

“Britain has been vaccinating the vaccine for several days in real life, not in a clinical trial by selecting volunteers, but in real life, with no safety concerns. Two cases of allergic infections have been reported in large groups of people; this may be the case. You know that allergic diseases are very common. Allergic reactions are also very common. But what we know today is not a cause for concern. The vaccine is safe, the vaccine is effective. “

Good signs

When asked how long the vaccine will protect the body and we can rest assured, the professor assured that it is still quite difficult to say.

“It is difficult to say because the time to protect people who have participated in clinical trials today is estimated in months. You just have to spend more time: volunteers who have participated in clinical trials need to be monitored and will be monitored. The dynamics of their antibodies in the blood and the dynamics of the diseases in the vaccinated groups will be monitored.

I mean that in the field of vaccination, this is not a new phenomenon where vaccine-induced immunity is significantly longer than natural diseases. A very good example could be a human papillomavirus infection, where infected people who have already recovered are re-infected, ”V. Usonis told the program.

“The good news today is that for at least a few months, from what we already know today, vaccines are effective, they are effective because they stimulate the synthesis of antibodies, which is proven. They are also effective because those vaccinated are less likely to develop a coronavirus infection. It is a very good sign for at least a few months so that we can put out the brand new epidemic. And the research and observations will continue, ”says the professor on the show.

Professor Aurelija Žvirblienė emphasized that two doses are needed, but when it comes to vaccination, this is not unusual.

“Those two doses are quite standard, since the additional dose ensures an immune response, the period between doses can be three or four weeks, there is no essential difference, but a repeated dose is needed,” said the professor in the program .

When asked to evaluate Lithuania’s readiness for mass vaccination, the professor assured that there was a lack of proper communication.

“When I evaluate the work of the students, I have objective criteria. At the moment, I really lack a proper communication job. Through the news, we see how Germany is preparing, what vaccination facilities are being established, how flows are managed and what we are doing in Lithuania; we know little.

I think that, as soon as possible, as the designated Minister of Health asked today when these measures should be introduced, yesterday, yesterday they should have been implemented, there should be a very intense information campaign, people must be clarified about vaccines. security, how vaccination activities will be organized, how people will be invited, etc. This work has to be done very intensively ”, says the teacher.