The Double-Dose Dilemma
Tyler Ainsworth
https://www.sciencenews.org/article/coronavirus-covid-19-vaccine-delay-second-dose-dangerous-strains
You might have heard that there is a huge shortage of COVID-19 vaccines, and there are 2 total doses needed. One idea that comes to mind is to only take one dose and wait for the 2nd that way everyone gets a dose, but here is why getting both is important.
First, we need to understand the immune system. Viruses are mRNA that gets into cells and replicates over and over. From here the body detects this unusual cell and then your immune system will recognize it and attack it with antibodies. The vaccine or vaccines, in general, give you non-deadly mRNA, this way the virus is not viral but can still be detected by the body to create an immune response.
With the COVID-19 vaccine at first, one full dose was too much on the body, this caused fevers, chills, and swelling. These aren’t the best symptoms to have, so it was split into 2 manageable doses. When you receive the first dose your body builds partial immunity, it is enough to have about half the antibodies needed for full to mostly full immunity. So then around two weeks, succeeding immunity is partially there making you ready for the 2nd dose for full. But what happens if we wait-
Well if we wait too long it can be devastating. When replication happens at the cellular level there can be changes made to the mRNA causing the strain to be different or a “mutation”. COVID-19 is really prone to mutations so waiting too long for this dose can make room for mutations. This happens when the virus infects you between the doses and you have room for that illness, COVID then can see the antibodies and find ways around it, when antibiotic strands of COVID appear and thrive, you know they have a completely new variant which could “re-instate” the pandemic.
To stay safe during the dosage time here is some advice, stay inside or limit outdoors exposure. This will severely limit the chance of contracting COVID. IF you must go out, wear a mask (N-95 is the best is available, KN-95 is next best). After so wash your hands and use disinfectant to sanitize, and do not touch the outside of your mask and/or put it somewhere compromisable.
How are you staying safe during the pandemic?
Do you have a COVID-Vaccine plan?
Why is it important to get the 2nd dose?
I am staying safe during the pandemic by remaining virtual for the time being and wearing a mask whenever near people outside my family. Missouri is currently ranked 48th in vaccine distribution, since there is no clear plan and my family does not want to risk getting the first dose without a promise of the second, so we have not yet signed up for a vaccination time. It is important to get the second dose to limit susceptibility, therefore, decreasing the chance that COVID-19 will infect you and have mutations immune to the vaccine proliferate.
ReplyDelete- Carissa Bersche
I am staying pretty safe and spending most of my time at home, I have already gotten the first vaccine from my work and today I am going to get the second shot actually right after spark.
ReplyDeleteAngeline Upchurch
I'm staying safe by being virtual for my classes, expect for Spark, and only going out when needed. Also, constant handwashing and wearing a mask everywhere. My mom and I are in the process of signing up to get the vaccine, but it sounds like it will be a while because like we said, Missouri isn't doing great in terms of distributing vaccines.
ReplyDeleteTrinity Mathis
Im staying safe during the pandemic by always making sure I have my mask on when in public and I am staying virtual as well. I always use hand sanitizer when ever I leave a place like the grocery store and always wipe down the handles of the carts as well. I would like to get the vaccine but my parents arent exactly jumping at the opportunity to get it.
ReplyDelete-Raquel Morgen
I am staying virtual for school and Spark! I go to the gym everyday, where it's usually me and one other person. I make sure to wear a mask and wipe down the equipment before and after I use it. I would like to get the vaccine, but my parents want to wait for other people to get it, and see more improvements made with distribution.
ReplyDelete-Ilori Tankpinou
I attend in-person school but I always keep my mask on and bring hand sanitizer everywhere. I try to limit going to public places, with the exception of the gym and grocery store. My family doesn't have a vaccination plan yet but my dad is going to sign up for the first dose soon because he was recently notified that he is eligible. -Shirin Saha
ReplyDelete