COVID
What is the Covid vaccine?
COVID-19 vaccines help our bodies develop immunity to the virus that causes COVID-19 without us having to get the illness.
Different types of Covid vaccines
mRNA vaccines, protein subunit vaccines, and vector vaccines
mRNA vaccines contain material from the virus that causes COVID-19 that gives our cells instructions for how to make a harmless protein that is unique to the virus. After our cells make copies of the protein, they destroy the genetic material from the vaccine
Protein subunit vaccines include harmless proteins of the virus that cause COVID-19 instead of the entire germ. Once vaccinated, our immune system recognizes that the proteins don’t belong in the body and begins making antibodies. If we are ever infected in the future, memory cells will recognize and fight the virus.
Vector vaccines contains a weakened version of a live virus—a different virus than the one that causes COVID-19—that has genetic material from the virus that causes COVID-19 inserted in it (this is called a viral vector). Once the viral vector is inside our cells, the genetic material gives cells instructions to make a protein that is unique to the virus that causes COVID-19.
Why do we need two doses of the Covid vaccine?
The general reason on why we need two vaccines is:
Some vaccines need two shots to be most effective. In studies, Pfizer’s vaccine was 52% effective after the first shot and 95% after the second one.
We don’t know how effective a single shot for the vaccine would be in the long run or how long the immunity would last.
It’s also unclear how effective the vaccine is if you don’t follow the exact dosing timeline.
When a vaccine requires two shots, the first shot helps your body recognize the virus and gets your immune system ready, while the second shot strengthens that immune response. This makes your body more prepared to fight infection.
What does the first shot of the Covid vaccine do?
The first shot helps your body recognize the virus and gets your immune system ready to fight the virus.
What does the second shot of the Covid vaccine do?
The second shot strengthens that immune response. This makes your body more prepared to fight infection. It makes the vaccine as effective as possible with treating the virus.
What happens if you don't get your second shot of the Covid vaccine?
The Pfizer Covid vaccine requires a 21 day length time between shots and 28 days for both Moderna and AstraZeneca. These are the most common Covid vaccines available. The bottom line is that you want your immune system to produce enough antibodies that if you’re exposed to a virus, your body can effectively fight it. Sometimes that means taking two vaccine doses. So, your immune system might not be able to fight the virus with only one dose of the vaccine.