18 answers to popular questions about coronavirus vaccination

2024 Author: Malcolm Clapton | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 03:44

We are not trying to convince you of anything. We just point out that some fears and doubts are unfounded.

1. Is it true that vaccines against COVID-19 are "raw" and they were brought to the market before they could be finalized?

Not true. Yes, vaccines against coronavirus have been created in an accelerated fashion. However, this does not mean at all that they can be called unfinished.

SARS ‑ CoV ‑ 2 is far from the first dangerous coronavirus faced by humanity. At least many people remember the famous atypical pneumonia that scared the world in 2002 - it was provoked by the SARS ‑ CoV virus, a close relative of the current variant. Almost as famous is MERS-CoV, the causative agent of the Middle East respiratory syndrome, the outbreak of which occurred in 2015.

Science has been preparing for years that one of the many respiratory viruses will inevitably lead to a pandemic.

However, influenza viruses were under the greatest suspicion. Therefore, medicine has got its hand mainly on the creation of influenza vaccines. But developments also concern coronaviruses.

Thus, technologies for creating grafts based on mRNA mRNA (messenger RNA, synonym - informational, mRNA) is a structure that encodes RNA, that is, a fragment, a "template" of genetic material characteristic of a pathogen. studied for over 10 years Safety of COVID-19 vaccines / World Health Organization (WHO). It was this fact that made it possible to relatively quickly release the drugs Moderna and Pfizer.

The experience in the development of vector vaccines (these include AstraZeneca and Sputnik V) is generally counted for decades. Understanding Viral Vector COVID-19 Vaccines / CDC. They are based on a "vector" - a safe virus carrier that delivers a piece of the genetic material of a dangerous virus to cells. Thus, the body becomes acquainted with a new infection and can quickly build up immunity to it.

Before the pandemic, the N. F. Gamaleya Research Center, the manufacturer of Sputnik V, had been developing vector vaccines for many years, for example, against Ebola. N. F. Gamalei. When the SARS ‑ CoV ‑ 2 coronavirus appeared, a drug against it was created using already proven technologies.

Summary: Those COVID-19 vaccines that are used in the world now, in fact, have been developed for years. They cannot be called fundamentally new.

2. In humans, anti-toxic vaccines have recently begun to be tested. Where is the guarantee that they have no side effects that will appear in a few years?

Various vector vaccines, and there are dozens of them, have been used around the world since the 1970s. Their action and side effects, including long-term, are well studied Human adenoviruses. Studied technological platform with proven long-term safety / "Sputnik V". And the drugs of this type themselves are recognized as safe.

In general, long-term monitoring of various vaccines shows the Safety of COVID-19 Vaccines / CDC: if long-term side effects occur, it is usually within 6 weeks after the injection. Based on this, it is more than enough to observe the vaccinated people for a couple of months after the procedure to draw a conclusion about the safety of the drug.

Millions of people have received the COVID-19 vaccine since early 2021. According to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), no long-term side effects have been found in the Safety of COVID-19 Vaccines / CDC.

3. You mean America. Are Russian vaccines safe?

Speaking specifically about "Sputnik V", then its safety was confirmed during the third phase of clinical trials. Its results were published by Denis Y. Logunov, Inna V. Dolzhikova, Dmitry V. Shcheblyakov, Amir I. Tukhvatulin, Olga V. Zubkova, Alina S. Dzharullaeva, et al. Safety and efficacy of an rAd26 and rAd5 vector ‑ based heterologous prime ‑ boost COVID ‑ 19 vaccine: an interim analysis of a randomized controlled phase 3 trial in Russia / The Lancet in the authoritative medical journal The Lancet. According to them, in 94% of cases, side effects after vaccination were mild and disappeared within a couple of days. The remaining 6% are doubtful: it is not a fact that the reaction was directly related to the vaccine, because serious adverse events were also recorded in participants from the placebo group - that is, those who were injected not with Sputnik V, but with a dummy.

Unfortunately, there are no official safety data on other vaccines registered in the Russian Federation - KoviVac and EpiVacCorona.

4. I read that the article about "Sputnik V" in The Lancet was criticized. So the vaccine is still bad?

No, it only means that the article itself is imperfect. There are information gaps in it. These are the main claims of Enrico M. Bucci, Johannes Berkhof, André Gillibert. Gowri Gopalakrishna, Raffaele A. Calogero, Lex M. Bouter et al. Data discrepancies and substandard reporting of interim data of Sputnik V phase 3 trial / The Lancet.

The critic, Italian pseudoscience fighter Enrico Bucci, found that the material on the results of the third phase of the clinical trials of "Sputnik V" lacked information on how exactly they were carried out. And the complete research protocol, which would provide an opportunity for any scientist to find these data on their own, was never published. All this does not allow us to compare and evaluate the indicators of the effectiveness of the vaccine given in the article.

However, the lack of a protocol in the public domain does not mean that it does not exist. In the past few months, WHO and the European Medicines Agency (EMA) have been studying Sputnik V to decide whether the vaccine can be used in the European Union and around the world. This process would not even have begun if scientists had not provided the regulators with a complete set of documents.

5. Wait, but there are officially recorded deaths after vaccinations - for example, from thrombosis. Are you saying it's a lie?

No. After vaccination with a number of vector vaccines (in particular, we are talking about AstraZeneca and Johnson & Johnson), COVID ‑ 19: Vaccines to prevent SARS ‑ CoV ‑ 2 infection / UpToDate cases of thrombosis did occur. Information about them even forced some countries to temporarily stop vaccination with these drugs.

However, the investigation showed that thrombotic complications are extremely rare: no more than 13 cases per million vaccinated. In addition, it was not possible to establish a clear causal relationship between the vaccine and thrombosis. Therefore, the drugs have returned to the market. The doctors decided that the benefits from their use far outweighed the microscopic and unproven risks.

As for the vector "Sputnik V", there were no cases of thrombosis after its application. This is stated by Roszdravnadzor has not detected cases of thrombosis after vaccination with Sputnik V / TASS and Roszdravnadzor, where data on all side effects after vaccination are collected, and the ministries of health of other countries In the UAE, the effectiveness of Sputnik V / RIA Novosti who purchased the drug was assessed. Doubt was expressed only by Argentina: its regulatory authorities reported the “10th report on the surveillance of the safety of vaccines of the Ministry of Health of Argentina” / Pharmaceutical Bulletin about two cases of thrombocytopenia Thrombocytopenia is a decrease in the level of platelets in the blood. This condition can lead to both bleeding and blood clots. among almost 1.5 million vaccinated. But the data are too few to say how much this is related to the administration of the drug and what is the possible frequency of such complications.

More detailed information on the topic can be provided by WHO and EMA, which must decide on the registration of Sputnik V.

6. I've heard that vaccines can alter human DNA. This is true?

No. Myths and Facts about COVID-19 Vaccines / CDC cannot physically alter or even interact with your DNA.

Sputnik V vector vaccines and mRNA-based drugs deliver a sample of coronavirus into cells in the form of pieces of its genetic material. Thus, our body gets acquainted with the pathogen and begins to develop protection against it.

But under no circumstances can pieces of the genetic material of the virus get into the cell nucleus, where the DNA is stored.

7. Some people are not vaccinated. For example, children and adolescents. So the vaccine is still dangerous?

No, it’s not like that. This only means that scientists do not yet know how the vaccine affects children and adolescents. Vaccines against COVID-19 have evolved rapidly. The manufacturers did not have the time and opportunity to reach out to people of all ages with trials, so the researchers focused on the vaccine safety against COVID-19 / World Health Organization (WHO) on the most widespread and vulnerable category to the coronavirus - adults.

But now it has come down to groups that did not participate in the initial clinical trials. Thus, in the USA and in the Russian Federation, they have already started or are about to start. In Moscow, a study of the Sputnik V vaccine for adolescents will take place / Moscow Headquarters of studies with the participation of adolescents.

8. Is it true that the vaccine itself can cause COVID-19?

The answer is categorical: this is heresy. None of the vaccines registered in the world contains a "live", that is, an active virus. With all the desire, the drug has nothing to infect you with.

9. Vaccines don't work. I know people who got infected after vaccination. What do you say to this?

A question of terminology. Infection Infection / Medical encyclopedia is the penetration of a virus or other pathogen into the human body. In this regard, no one is immune from infection: if there are sources of infection around you, it can enter the body and no vaccine will prevent this. Vaccinations have a different purpose.

Their effectiveness is usually assessed by two parameters:

1. How much the vaccine reduces the risk of symptoms of illness after infection. You can get infected, but not even notice it: the immunity familiar with the virus will quickly repel the attack. The task of vaccination is to increase the likelihood of just such an outcome of meeting the pathogen.
2. How much the vaccine reduces the risk of hospitalization and death. Even if you do have symptoms, they may be mild and you will carry COVID-19 like a common SARS. And they can become difficult, life-threatening. Vaccination should train the immune system so that it can stop the disease at an easy stage.

If we take the most studied Russian vaccine - Sputnik V, then it reduces Denis Y Logunov, DSc, Inna V Dolzhikova, PhD, Dmitry V Shcheblyakov, PhD, Amir I Tukhvatulin, PhD, Olga V Zubkova, PhD, Alina S Dzharullaeva, MSc, et al. Safety and efficacy of an rAd26 and rAd5 vector ‑ based heterologous prime ‑ boost COVID ‑ 19 vaccine: an interim analysis of a randomized controlled phase 3 trial in Russia / The Lancet 91.6% risk of symptom onset. And the likelihood that the disease will develop into a severe form is completely reduced by 100% - however, this is a preliminary result.

Summary: It is really possible to get infected after vaccination, although the likelihood of this is small. But the vaccine will almost certainly protect you from severe illness.

By the way, doctors call the situation when symptoms of the disease appear in a vaccinated person Can I still get COVID-19 after I’m vaccinated? / Mayo Clinic "Vaccine Breakthrough". Such breakthroughs happen the more often, the lower the herd immunity. This is understandable: if there are too many infected people around the vaccinated, the viral load on the body increases and its defense system, even familiar with the pathogen, does not have time to repel the blow in time.

10. Israel is vaccinated almost all, Great Britain - more than half, and they again have a lot of cases. Does this mean that herd immunity does not save?

No, it doesn't. First, in both countries, the outbreak is caused by a new strain of coronavirus, the delta variant. Vaccines created against the alpha strain, that is, the parent SARS ‑ CoV ‑ 2, may be less effective against the mutated virus.

Secondly, it is not so much the number of cases - that is, people with symptoms - that is important, but the number of hospitalized and died. And there are very few of them.

For example, in Israel, as of June 30, more than 200 new cases of COVID-19 were recorded daily by גיף הקורונה בישראל - תמונת מצב כללית / Israel Ministry of Health. But at the same time, mortality among patients tends to zero, and out of almost 900 patients with an active stage of coronavirus infection, only 26 are in serious condition.

This means that both vaccines and herd immunity work.

11. By the way, about the new strain. Where is the guarantee that the virus will not continue to mutate and the vaccine will not become useless?

There are really no guarantees. The virus is highly volatile, so new strains are likely to appear regularly.

That is why scientists and politicians are debating the likely need for revaccination. For example, the vaccine will be repeated once a year. How long has it been with flu drugs?

12. I have had an allergic reaction before, I am afraid of being vaccinated. What to do?

Each of the vaccines registered in the Russian Federation has contraindications for use. They are described in the instructions for the preparations.

A severe allergic reaction (anaphylaxis, Quincke's edema) in the past is an unambiguous contraindication for the administration of all three drugs: "Sputnik V" ("Gam-COVID-Vac" Gam-COVID-Vac. Combined vector vaccine for the prevention of coronavirus infection caused by the SARS virus CoV ‑ 2 / State Register of Medicines), “KoviVac” KoviVac (Inactivated whole virion concentrated purified coronavirus vaccine) / State Register of Medicines and “EpiVacCorona” EpiVacCorona Vaccine based on peptide antigens for the prevention of COVID ‑ 19 / State Register of Medicines.

If you have any of the contraindications, contact your therapist: the doctor will write you a medical challenge. This document is issued as a reference.

13. What if after vaccination I feel bad?

Indeed, vaccines have potential side effects. They are detailed in the instructions for each specific drug. But in the vast majority of cases, the vaccine is easily tolerated, and the reactions include the following at most:

• Flu-like symptoms: fever, chills, headache and muscle pain, weakness. To make you feel better, it is recommended 1. Letter of the Ministry of Health of Russia dated February 20, 2021 N 1 / I / 1-1221 On the direction of methodological recommendations "Procedure for vaccination with the GAM-COVID-VAC vaccine against COVID-19 in the adult population"

  2. Letter of the Ministry of Health of Russia dated January 21, 2021 N 1 / and / 1-332 "On the procedure for vaccinating the adult population with the EpiVacCorona vaccine against COVID-19" take one of the non-prescription non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), for example, based on ibuprofen or acetylsalicylic acid.

• Soreness, redness of the skin and slight swelling at the injection site. In this case, antihistamines will help.

Most often, side effects develop in the first two days after vaccination and last no longer than three days.

A small number of people after vaccination may experience a severe allergic reaction called anaphylaxis on Safety of Vaccines / CDC. But this rarely happens.

In general, anaphylaxis can occur after any vaccination, not just COVID-19. There are medications in hospitals for such cases that will help to quickly and effectively stop the unwanted reaction. By the way, this is why, after the vaccine is administered, you will be asked to sit for 25-30 minutes near the doctor's office to check your condition.

14. Is compensation provided if more serious complications arise after vaccination?

Yes, compensation is possible on a general basis. They are described by the Federal Law of 17.09.1998 No. 157-FZ (as amended on 26.05.2021) "On the immunization of infectious diseases." Article 18. The right of citizens to social support in the event of post-vaccination complications in the Federal Law "On Immunoprophylaxis of Infectious Diseases".

But you will not receive payments for, for example, a high temperature. Complications are considered only serious and (or) persistent health problems that have developed as a result of vaccination. These include the Decree of the Government of the Russian Federation of 1999-02-08 No. 885 / Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation:

• generalized infection A generalized infection is one that has spread throughout the body with lymph and blood.;
• severe generalized allergic reactions;
• anaphylactic shock;
• encephalitis;
• lesions of the central nervous system (central nervous system);
• chronic arthritis (can occur after rubella vaccination).

This list is closed. That is, you will be entitled to compensation only if the complication that has arisen is included in the list. Other options are not considered.

To qualify for payment, be sure to write down any non-standard adverse reactions that are not listed in the instructions for the drug, and require the therapist to enter them in your medical history in a timely manner. Also, insist I have an adverse drug reaction. How and where should you report this? / Federal Service for Surveillance in Healthcare, so that the doctor should report post-vaccination complications to Roszdravnadzor. All such notifications are recorded, and the manufacturer will be able to track the side effects that went unnoticed during the first studies of the vaccine.

You can inform Roszdravnadzor that you have unusual manifestations after vaccination on your own - on the Npr.roszdravnadzor.ru website or by sending an email to [email protected].

The list of required documents and the timing of receiving payments (10 thousand rubles at a time and up to 1,500 rubles a month) can be found on "Gosuslugi" One-time allowance for citizens who have received a post-vaccination complication / "Gosuslugi". St. Petersburg.

15. I want to wait for a normal vaccine, and not get vaccinated with domestic ones. When can we expect Moderna or Pfizer?

There is no information about when these vaccines will appear (and whether they will appear at all) on the Russian market.

At the same time, the domestic "Sputnik V" approved Mishustin said that "Sputnik V" was registered by 60 countries / TASS for use in 60 countries of the world. So it is unreasonable to think that it is somehow worse than the drugs that are used in the USA and Europe.

16. I have already been ill, I have antibodies. Why vaccinate?

Indeed, there is optimistic data from Zijun Wang, Frauke Muecksch, Dennis Schaefer-Babajew, Shlomo Finkin, Charlotte Viant, Christian Gaebler, Christopher Barnes, Melissa Cipolla, Victor Ramos, Thiago Y. Oliveira, Alice Cho, Fabian Schmidt, Justin da Silva, Eva Bednarski, Mridushi Daga, Martina Turroja, Katrina G. Millard, Mila Jankovic, Anna Gazumyan, Paul D. Bieniasz, Marina Caskey, Theodora Hatziioannou, Michel C. Nussenzweig. Vaccination boosts naturally enhanced neutralizing breadth to SARS ‑ CoV ‑ 2 one year after infection / bioRxiv, so that immunity after a previous illness persists for at least 12 months. Perhaps it can even last for years.

The key word here is "possibly". Early research shows Jackson S. Turner, Wooseob Kim, Elizaveta Kalaidina, Charles W. Goss, Adriana M. Rauseo, Aaron J. Schmitz, Lena Hansen, Alem Haile, Michael K. Klebert, Iskra Pusic, Jane A. O'Halloran, Rachel M. Presti & Ali H. Ellebedy. SARS ‑ CoV ‑ 2 infection induces long ‑ lived bone marrow plasma cells in humans / Nature, that antibody levels drop rapidly during the first months after illness. And then it begins to decline more slowly, but it is not a fact that it provides protection against COVID-19.

Judging by other known coronaviruses, re-infection becomes possible on average after 6-12 months. This may also apply to SARS ‑ CoV ‑ 2.

Until scientists figure out natural immunity, evidence-based medicine believes COVID-19 Vaccines: Myth Versus Fact / The Johns Hopkins University that the only truly effective way to protect yourself from infection is to get vaccinated.

It is not worth going to the procedure immediately after suffering COVID-19. But Rospotrebnadzor, for example, recommends 7 questions about vaccination / Rospotrebnadzor to be vaccinated a few months after the illness. And experts from the British National Health Service believe that COVID-19 STAFF FAQS: VACCINE INFORMATION / NHS can be vaccinated 28 days after receiving a positive test for COVID-19 or the first symptom.

17. I got sick a year ago, but I still have symptoms. Is vaccination dangerous for chronic COVID-19?

In terms of evidence-based medicine, chronic COVID-19 is not a COVID-19 STAFF FAQS: VACCINE INFORMATION / NHS contraindication for vaccination. This means the vaccine will definitely not make your condition worse.

18. Can I just refuse the vaccine?

Sure you can. Vaccination is a purely voluntary procedure.

Vaccination is conditionally mandatory only for certain categories of citizens. In particular, in Moscow it is obliged to do it by those who are employed in the service sector and in any organizations that involve "live" contacts with people. Vaccination can be refused, but in this case the employee will not be allowed to the workplace.

However, such a person, as the Kremlin said, explained the voluntariness of vaccination by the opportunity to change jobs / RBC Dmitry Peskov, can always change jobs.