I’ve been discussing the COVID-19 vaccines a lot lately so wanted to share some clarifying points to assist in your decision making.
One.
The vaccines are using newer technology (mRNA), never used in vaccines before. This is not like the flu shot or other vaccines which typically inject small active or inactivated amounts of the germ, thus provoking the immune system to recognize the virus or pathogen, form antibodies to fight it off from causing harm to the body and then remembering that battle (antibody and immune memory) so should the body be exposed to that substance again, immunity will be there and the person will not experience infection again.
This new type of vaccine gives instructions for our cells to make a protein, called the “spike protein.”
The spike protein is found on the surface of the virus that causes COVID-19.
How the mRNA vaccine works (info found on the vaccine company websites):
- Once the instructions (mRNA) are inside the immune cells, the cells use them to make the protein.
- Next, the cell displays the protein piece on its surface. Our immune systems recognize that the protein doesn’t belong there and begin building an immune response and making antibodies, similar to what happens in natural infection against COVID-19.
- The goal is that after the vaccine, the body has learned how to protect against future infection. (This part has not been proven yet. Time to see the population’s response to the vaccine and future COVID exposure will provide much more data. Here, again, is the clinical trial aspect of fighting the pandemic with new vaccines. It is also unknown how people with current autoimmune conditions will respond in the long-term to the vaccine.)
My questions–
Would this cause the body to indefinitely have reactivity or immunity to COVID?
How is the body going to respond when it does come across COVID-19, or another coronavirus, again?
Is it going to have immunity and basically ignore it, or catch a variant and get sick or speed up the reaction and severity of symptoms, as seen in prior coronavirus and dengue vaccine trials? (Antibody-dependent enhancement. Ref: https://www.nature.com/articles/s41564-020-00789-5 and https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/12725690/ )
All unknown.
P.S. A note here…all vaccine companies have immunity from claims or issues that people may experience as a result of their product/vaccine. As in, if the vaccine causes damage or death, that’s on you, they cannot be sued for such occurrences. (That’s not just for this vaccine but all/most.)
Two.
These vaccines did not go through the typical vaccine approval process, as it was being sped up to help fight the pandemic. (Some look at the vaccines as still being experimental as there’s much info we don’t have and don’t know.)
There’s still many questions and unknowns, including:
- They are still learning how well vaccines prevent you from spreading the virus that causes COVID-19 to others, even if you do not have symptoms. (That means you can be fully vaccinated and still get and give COVID. We’ve already seen it happening.)
- They’re also still learning how long COVID-19 vaccines protect people. (Meaning, it’s not clear if the vaccine is a one and done, or boosters or ongoing vaccinations will be necessary.)
- They are still learning how effective the vaccines are against new variants of the virus that causes COVID-19. (It is unclear if the vaccines currently available will be effective as the virus mutates and changes. Meaning, you could get the vaccine and then possibly catch a newer variant of COVID in the future.)
- How long does natural immunity (already had and recovered from COVID) last and is a vaccine necessary or helpful in any way if someone already had COVID? (I’m seeing antibodies in patients a full year after recovering from COVID)
Early data show the vaccines may work against some variants but could be less effective against others. The CDC is learning more each day about the characteristics of new variants.
For these reasons, people who have been fully vaccinated against COVID-19 should keep taking precautions in public places, until more is known, like wearing a mask, staying 6 feet apart from others, avoiding crowds and poorly ventilated spaces, and washing your hands often.
Just to recap:
People can still catch COVID more than 2 weeks after the 2nd or final vaccine dosage. Being fully vaccinated does seem to prevent severe illness but it DOES NOT prevent you from getting or spreading the virus; however, it does seem to take the edge off or not be as serious of an infection, should you get it.
https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/vaccines/keythingstoknow.html
Three.
People who are older (60’ish plus) or have certain underlying medical conditions (some examples are diabetes, lung issues, asthma, obesity) are at higher risk of getting very sick, should they contract COVID-19. Whether you decide to get the vaccine or not, it is in your best interest to lower your risk by improving your health.
There’s been a decent amount of research published on the effectiveness of certain botanical and herbal medicines being effective in strengthening the immune system to fight off and/or reduce the severity of COVID-related symptoms.
Here are some health improvement suggestions, and as always, see your holistic doctor or healthcare provider for customized guidance, specific to your health status.
Health Improvement Tips
- Get at least 8 hours of sleep every night
- Get moderate daily exercise, as possible with your current health and fitness status (30 to 40 minutes per day is ideal)
- Eat healthy and nutritious food and reduce consumption of fried, sugary and highly processed foods
- Take high quantities of Vitamins D and C, Zinc, Quercetin, NAC and Glutathione (suggest getting specific guidance on each of these)
- Follow recommended guidance about social distancing, hand cleaning, mask wearing and avoiding poorly ventilated indoor spaces.
- Get time outside each day – clean air, sunshine, healing benefits of being in nature
- Maintain your social contacts to stay as emotionally healthy and connected as possible
Please do your research and consider your health status and lifestyle before you decide on or against a COVID-19 vaccine. Do not trust what your neighbor, friend or the media tells you. Consult with your doctors and healthcare advisors and do your online research, then make the decision that is best for you. Good luck and be safe and healthy!