102 - SARS-CoV-2 Vaccines (w/ Brianne Barker!)
102. SARS-CoV-2 Vaccines
Last week we discussed vaccines at a 50,000 foot perspective, but today we focus on vaccines for one pathogen: SARS-CoV-2. Let’s learn to be scientifically conversational.
General Learning Concepts
1) Discussion questions:
a. Why do we need a vaccine for SARS-CoV-2?
i. Economic impact, death toll, changes to lifestyle, international politics, mental impacts, challenging environments for medical professionals, essential employees, etc…
b. Who have developed vaccines for SARS-CoV-2? Why did it take so long (compared to the H1N1 flu vaccine) / short (how do we know it’s safe)?
c. What is an mRNA vaccine? Are there examples of other mRNA vaccines? What does the mRNA encode for? Why the spike protein of SARS-CoV-2? Are there other vaccines for coronaviruses?
d. What is a viral vector vaccine? Are any of these vaccine candidates available to me?
e. Why do you need two doses of these vaccines for immunity? Why are they given at the three week mark?
f. Are there potential dangers of “escape mutants”?
g. Why can’t everyone be vaccinated immediately? Do I need a vaccination if I’ve already been infected? Will this become a “yearly” vaccine like the flu shot?
h. When I’m vaccinated, am I allowed to stop social distancing and wearing a mask?
i. What if I don’t trust the vaccine because I heard that some people have extreme allergic reactions to it?