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NEW VACCINES GO VIRAL

New mRNA vaccines bring expectations of ending COVID-19 pandemic

MIKA KIPNIS

news staff

Pfizer and BioNtech, a biopharmaceutical company partnership, announced Nov. 9 that their new mRNA-based vaccine had 90% efficacy after two doses according to their first Phase 3 interim analysis. Nov. 9 will not only be remembered as the day that the U.S. surpassed 10 million COVID-19 cases, but also the day that created a breakthrough in science and restored hope for normalcy in our daily lives.

“I think we’re on the cutting edge of medicine and science,” Ladue nurse Nikki Harrison said. “Of all the bad that’s happened with COVID-19 and not being able to get a handle on it yet, this is something that has made doctors and scientists shine.”

A few days after Pfizer confirmed that their vaccine efficacy rate was 95% in preventing COVID-19, another mRNA-based vaccine developed by Moderna confirmed a 94.1% vaccine efficacy rate. Both Pfizer and Moderna vaccines show promising results from their Phase 3 clinical trials of 43,538 and 30,000 participants respectively. Pfizer was the first vaccine approved for emergency use in the U.S. for COVID-19 by the FDA Dec. 11.

“I was really surprised and excited when I saw that this vaccine came out that quickly and had that high of an effectiveness rate,” science teacher Molly Mannix said. “Historically, vaccine development takes a long time and early trials don’t have as high of effectiveness rates.”

While previous vaccine techniques relied on injecting antigens or weakened versions of the virus into the body to create immunity, the new mRNA-based vaccine only requires the pathogen’s genetic code. After injecting an mRNA into the body, cells produce millions of spike proteins — a protein found in COVID-19 that is LADUEPUBLICATIONS.COM harmless without other viral com- achieved by November 2021 if 60-70% ponents — prompting the immune of the population has COVID-19 imsystem to create antibodies that build COVID-19 immunity and resistance. “All of these different mechanisms in which vaccines “ I think we’re on the cutting edge of medicine and science. munity, whether that be from contracting the virus or receiving the vaccine. “We’re getting close, which is incredible because work is like a trial NIKKI HARRISON | nurse it hasn’t even been and error process,” a year since we’ve Mannix said. “We first heard about need to decide which mechanism is COVID-19,” Harrison said. “Hopefulgoing to be the most effective and ly, we’re going to see the light at the safe for human use.” end of the tunnel.” p

One of the biggest differences between Pfizer and Moderna is that Pfizer’s vaccine must be stored at negative 70 degrees Celsius, while Moderna’s vaccine can be stored at 4 degrees Celsius. This makes transporting and managing Moderna’s vaccine much easier for local clinics and pharmacies. “To come up with a vaccine that’s so effective is a hard thing to do and I think it’s groundbreaking,” senior Shriya Koneru said. “For scientists to be collaborating with peers when it’s dangerous is commendable.” According to American infectious disease expert Anthony Fauci, vaccine dis1.mRNA injected into body Cells translate mRNA into spike proteins Immune system produces COVID-19 antibodies How COVID-19 Vaccines Work 2. 3. tribution is estimated to begin as early as December and will prioritize those who have underlying medical conditions, are over 65 or are healthcare or frontline workers. Fauci believes that the vaccine will be readily available for the general public by June 2021 and herd immunity in the U.S. could be 0512.14.20illustration by | NICOLE GORRELL & MIKA KIPNIS