Unless you’ve been living in a cave, we assume you are aware of the current COVID-19 situation and the ongoing debate regarding the COVID-19 vaccine. The discussion is about the question of whether you should get vaccinated.
The answer to the main question is complicated because if it were that simple, we would never have had this discussion in the first place. However, the answer may also be simple if you decide to look for the most logical explanation instead of overcomplicating it because you don’t like the answer. It’s up to you. Because no matter what the answer is, if you believe something and search for the reasons to be right instead of the general truth, you will always find them.
What is the reason behind the COVID-19 vaccine debate, and why is it such a big deal?
There is an issue, and like with all issues, each person has an opinion about it which we have to respect. This time, it’s not just an issue, but it’s a worldwide pandemic that concerns us all. Yes, it is not the first time we deal with a global pandemic, but it is the first time we deal with it in these circumstances. The combination of the era, the population, and especially the economic and social consequences, not to mention the virus itself, create a complex issue.
Different opinions are usually good because having different opinions means looking at something from different perspectives and eventually finding the best possible solutions. An opinion becomes problematic when it’s not a well-founded opinion anymore but an out-of-control concern that eventually grows into irrational fear.
By being unbiased, open-minded, honest, and giving the right information and explaining how it works, we maybe have a chance to reassure those who are doubting. Because in general, we all have the same goal; we want to make the world a better place. If that wasn’t the case, the world wouldn’t exist as it exists today. Especially if you compare it to a couple of decades and centuries ago, it actually improved and keeps improving.
To those who are called ‘the anti-vaxxer’
First of all, we want to say that we won’t try to convince you why you should get vaccinated because convincing, forcing, judging, and not taking you seriously doesn’t work and will create the opposite effect. Besides, there is enough stuff on the internet of people who share different information for you to read, so we save ourselves the energy.
Either you should get vaccinated, either you shouldn’t; it’s really up to you. However, suppose you decide not to get vaccinated for whatever reason. In that case, we hope you decide based on good judgement and not being influenced by negative emotions.
Have faith that the primary goal is to keep humanity alive instead of destroying it and understand that the current long-life expectancy is actual proof of progress if you compare it to many decades ago.
If you believe people don’t have issues to deal with but have the primary goal to follow you (with other 8 billion people) the entire day to see what you’re doing by using microchips, ask yourself how realistic that is. We’re not that special. 😉
You are a part of society, and we appreciate your contribution. Without people like you who are critical and show us a different point of view, we wouldn’t have done proper research, excluded certain things and eventually wouldn’t come this far.
Be aware of when you have to continue with the criticism and where it is got out of hand. The fear of losing control and the unknown, the need to be heard and belong, traumas are all possible ingredients that can create irrational thoughts and fear if they’re present for a long time.
The COVID-19 vaccine explained
We’ve decided to write about this when we’ve read an interesting article by Hackensack Meridian Health that answers what is on the vaccine and is it safe to receive the injection. And… this is also due to the many false statements we come across online.
We work a lot with chemical companies (among others) that undergo rigorous safety standards, so we can undoubtedly conclude the following:
If a (chemical) company undergoes necessary yet long-lasting, complex, and taken by professionals safety checks to protect us from the potential damage, the same applies to the vaccine, the pharmaceuticals and the companies that monitor and check these pharmaceuticals. It is kind of a big deal not to monitor companies that can save or destroy the entire race of humanity—just saying. 😉
The vaccines
Let’s look at the most used vaccines which are mentioned in the article: (1) Pfizer, (2) Moderna, and (3) Janssen. All these vaccines are approved and have already been vaccinated to lots of people. Without getting too much into the details, we want to explain how vaccines work and show you the ingredients.
Pfizer and Moderna are vaccines that contain part of the genetic instructions from the COVID-19. This makes sure the own body cells produce a protein that is the same as the virus. When infected by COVID-19, the immune system recognises that this protein should not be in the body and responds by producing natural defences against the infection.
Janssen uses a harmless virus to deliver the genetic instructions from the virus that causes COVID-19. This way, the body cells make the protein that is unique to the COVID-19 virus. When infected by COVID-19, the immune system recognises that this protein should not be in the body and responds by producing natural defences against the infection.
Ingredients – Pfizer
mRNA
Messenger RiboNucleic Acid is the only active ingredient in the vaccine. The mRNA molecules are responsible for the instructions for our body on making a viral protein that triggers an immune response within our bodies. The immune response causes our bodies to make the antibodies needed to protect us from getting infected if exposed to the coronavirus.
mRNA vaccines never enter the cell’s nucleus, where our DNA is stored. After injection, the mRNA from the vaccine is released into the cytoplasm of the cells. Once the viral protein is made, mRNA is broken down on the cell’s surface, and the body permanently gets rid of it, making it impossible to change our DNA.
Lipids
One disadvantage of mRNA vaccines tends to be their stability. Apart from storing them at relatively low temperatures, it’s where the lipids come in; luckily, your body tends to handle lipids quite well in general. The largest health concern is when you get too much in your body, you can experience weight gain. The primary role of the lipids is to protect the mRNA and provide an exterior that helps the mRNA slide inside the cells.
- (4-hydroxybutyl)azanediyl)bis(hexane-6,1-diyl)bis
- (2-hexyldecanoate), 2 [(polyethylene glycol)-2000]-N,N-ditetradecylacetamide
- 1,2-Distearoyl-snglycero-3- phosphocholine
- cholesterol
Salts
The below salts help balance the acidity in your body.
- potassium chloride (always present in your body, without it; it would not function)
- monobasic potassium phosphate (also found in Gatorade and Powerade sports drinks and haven’t caused any harm there)
- sodium chloride (basically kitchen salt)
- dibasic sodium phosphate dihydrate (very common ingredient, also used in Jell-O pudding & Cream of Wheat)
Sugar
Basic table sugar. This ingredient helps the molecules maintain their shape during freezing.
Ingredients – Moderna
mRNA
The same as the one for Pfizer.
Lipids
Same idea as for Pfizer; the delivery of the mRNA to the cells.
- SM-102
- 1,2-dimyristoyl-rac-glycero3-methoxypolyethylene glycol-2000 [PEG2000-DMG]
- cholesterol
- 1,2-distearoyl-snglycero-3-phosphocholine [DSPC]
The below four ingredients (acids, acid stabilisers, salts, sugar) work together to maintain the stability of the vaccine after it’s produced.
Acids
Acetic acid (essentially vinegar, the same molecule as you use on your salad)
Acid Stabilisers
Tromethamine & Tromethamine hydrochloride (very common buffers that are used for ages)
Salts
Sodium acetate (derived from vinegar; gives the salt and vinegar taste to potato chips)
Sugar
Sucrose
Ingredients – Janssen
Recombinant, replication-incompetent adenovirus type 26 expressing the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein: a modified and harmless version of Adenovirus 26, used as a “vector” to deliver the DNA gene sequence to produce the coronavirus spike protein.
Once the modified adenovirus vaccine enters the cells, the body of the virus essentially disintegrates, and the DNA material within it travels into the nucleus of the human cell, where it is transcribed into mRNA. The coronavirus spike protein is then produced and displayed on the cell’s surface, prompting the immune system to produce antibodies and activate T-cells to fight off what it thinks is an infection. The Adenovirus 26 does not replicate, and like the mRNA vaccines, does not change our genetic code.
The below ingredients for proper maintenance of the stability of the vaccine after production.
Acids
Citric acid monohydrate (the same as found in citrus fruit)
Salts
Trisodium citrate dihydrate (the salty form of citric acid, often also used to give soda’s their flavour)
Sugars
- 2-hydroxypropyl-β-cyclodextrin (HBCD) (a very common excipient)
- polysorbate-80, sodium chloride (a common excipient too)
Other ingredients
Ethanol (perhaps the only component that may cause harm as this is plain alcohol). However, the quantities used are so small that drunkenness is never observed as a side effect.
Well, folks, this is it. The conclusion? We leave it up to you. 😉
Are you looking for a career in chemicals, food, or life sciences? Check Our Work. Can’t find the right vacancy? Let us know! We have more to offer. 🙂 Follow our LinkedIn company page!