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While this is true, the Pfizer vaccine was created by essentially reverse engineering the SARS-COV-2 virus and copying a small section of mRNA from it in order

While this is true, the Pfizer vaccine was created by essentially reverse engineering the SARS-COV-2 virus and copying a small section of mRNA from it in order to stimulate the body into creating antibodies. Unlike older methods of creating vaccines this has a much lower risk of side effects because only a harmless portion of the virus's genetic code that allows it to infect people is being injected, rather than deactivated virus cells. Pretty interesting stuff: https://www.forbes.com/sites/alexknapp/2020/11/10/what-you-need-to-know-about-pfizers-covid-19-vaccine/?sh=4160d1f04c46 https://www.forbes.com/sites/alexknapp/2020/11/10/what-you-n... Apparently the Moderna vaccine is also based on the mRNA tech: https://www.nytimes.com/live/2020/moderna-covid-19-vaccine https://www.nytimes.com/live/2020/moderna-covid-19-vaccine There are a number of vaccines based on the older methods of creating a vaccine, including the J&J vaccine, but most are not as far along in the trial process.

generalizations 6y ago
> Unlike older methods of creating vaccines this has a much lower risk of side effects because only a harmless portion of the virus's genetic code that allows it to infect people is being injected, rather than deactivated virus cells. > Apparently the Moderna vaccine is also based on the mRNA tech: https://www.nytimes.com/live/2020/moderna-covid-19-vaccine https://www.nytimes.com/live/2020/moderna-covid-19-vaccine That's exactly what I have a problem with: mRNA vaccines have never been approved for use in humans, and they're only getting an emergency approval this time. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/RNA_vaccines https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/RNA_vaccines Don't tell me it's 'pretty interesting stuff': tell me that we're not using an experimental drug that's not using a novel type of vaccine that's never been used in humans prior to this year, for which long-term side effects are pretty much unknown.

generalizations 6y ago

> Unlike older methods of creating vaccines this has a much lower risk of side effects because only a harmless portion of the virus's genetic code that allows it to infect people is being injected, rather than deactivated virus cells. > Apparently the Moderna vaccine is also based on the mRNA tech: https://www.nytimes.com/live/2020/moderna-covid-19-vaccine https://www.nytimes.com/live/2020/moderna-covid-19-vaccine That's exactly what I have a problem with: mRNA vaccines have never been approved for use in humans, and they're only getting an emergency approval this time. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/RNA_vaccines https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/RNA_vaccines Don't tell me it's 'pretty interesting stuff': tell me that we're not using an experimental drug that's not using a novel type of vaccine that's never been used in humans prior to this year, for which long-term side effects are pretty much unknown.