It’s boring and boring, but this is the story of COVID-19 again. Currently, the COVID-19 vaccine is already being developed by several pharmaceutical companies. Some of these vaccines have completed clinical trials and have been vaccinated worldwide, but there is still much talk about the effects and side effects. Because of the urgent situation of a large-scale epidemic, the supply of vaccines without sufficient verification is a concern for the public and the medical staff are also uneasy. Korea will also start vaccination soon, so let’s take a look.
Of the many vaccines that have been inoculated, the most rumored is the mRNA vaccine. This is the first type of vaccine, which is injected into the body in the form of RNA to form surface antigen proteins and induce an immune response. The stability problem is that the RNA virus itself is easily degraded, so when injected into the body, it is easily removed after forming a surface antigen protein, so there is no risk of genetic modification in the human body. As for the defense against mutant viruses, as far as it is known, the degree of mutation does not significantly alter the structure of the surface protein, so the immune response is sufficiently induced. However, storage at a low temperature is essential, so a storage for maintaining the temperature is essential. In the case of side effects, mild local swelling, pain, and fever are common, as in the flu vaccine. In severe cases, hypersensitivity reactions such as shortness of breath and systemic urticaria may occur.
A story that seems to come out of a movie where mankind fights disaster is ongoing. Vaccines are more important than therapeutic agents because they must have a defense system through population immunity. So, should healthy young people get the vaccine? The answer to this question is, of course, “Yes”. The COVID-19 virus is highly contagious and very fatal in high-risk patients. Vaccination is essential to protect yourself and others in your life together. If you are concerned about side effects of the vaccine, stay near the hospital for at least 30 minutes after vaccination to check for acute side effects. If you have any urgent symptoms such as difficulty breathing, loss of consciousness, or a drop in blood pressure, you should visit the emergency room immediately. The lasting effect of the vaccine will be verified in the future. Usually, two doses are expected to be effective for 4-6 months. Assuming that COVID-19 is indigenous, you will probably need to get vaccinated every year.
Even if collective immunity is achieved after the entire national vaccination, COVID-19 will not disappear for the time being. And there are still questions about the persistence of vaccine effectiveness. The cold that plagues us every year is another coronavirus. The strongest guys came in 2020, and the stronger ones could come. Honestly, it is not unreasonable that the prospect of being unable to take off the mask even after becoming a vaccine and group immunity. We sincerely hope and hope that the finale of the movie will be a happy ending with the success of the vaccine.
Director Kyung Moon-bae (G&I Internal Clinic)