What does the use of gene-based vaccines mean?
The vaccines approved in the EU to date are mRNA or vector vaccines. Some people are concerned because these are novel gene-based vaccines.
However, concerns that they could alter the genetic material and thus cause cancer, for example, are unfounded. Although the mRNA that is smuggled into the body’s cells is a section of the viral genome, it cannot be incorporated into the differently designed human DNA genome.
With vector vaccines, on the other hand, a DNA segment actually enters the nucleus of the vaccinated cell, where it is first converted into RNA. However, it is extremely unlikely that this gene segment will be incorporated into human DNA. They lack certain tools with the help of which this could succeed. In addition, the cells that come into contact with the vaccine quickly perish. Thus, their nucleus is also degraded by the body.
Read more about vector vaccines here.
In fact, mRNA vaccines may even prove to be particularly well tolerated: They contain only the bare essentials needed for a vaccination reaction: a single mRNA snippet surrounded by a fatty envelope. Vaccine boosters, so-called adjuvants, as contained in many vaccines, are not necessary, for example. These are not well tolerated by some people.
What side effects are known?
Read more about vaccine reactions and complications here.
Mild side effects more common than usual
For the mRNA vaccines from BioNTech/Pfizer and Moderna, it has been found that the body, which has already armed itself against the antigens after the first vaccination, then reacts more strongly – i.e. with fever, headaches, fatigue. This is a sign that the vaccination has triggered a corresponding immune reaction in the body.
Why could the development go so fast?
While most people are relieved because, thanks to the vaccines, the end of the pandemic is drawing closer, others are worried that the rapid development may have come at the expense of safety. But that is not the case.
In fact, there are a number of factors that have made it possible to speed up vaccine development considerably – without taking any risks.
Vaccine development did not have to start from scratch. It could build on knowledge already gained during vaccine research for other coronaviruses closely related to Sars-CoV-2: the Sars virus of 2002 and the MERS coronavirus.
How were bureaucratic processes accelerated?
In view of the urgency, the bureaucratic processes that have to be gone through for the development and approval of a vaccine were highly prioritized, made more effective and thus significantly accelerated. Even the applications for the studies were reviewed and granted with high priority.
Time was also saved in other areas: Financing the vaccines was unproblematic in view of the pandemic. Otherwise, it would have taken a lot of time to get the funding in place. Recruiting volunteers for the trials was also very fast – enough people volunteered quickly.
Faster production than with conventional vaccines
High safety after millions vaccinated
Despite all precautions, there is no 100 percent safety – with this vaccination as well as with vaccinations that have taken longer to develop.
Side effects occurring late in the course of the vaccination are also unlikely. Vaccine complications usually occur close to the time of vaccination, at most after a few months. Since so much time has already passed since the worldwide start of vaccination, such side effects should also have occurred long ago.
Reporting side effects – and reacting to them
Confidence in vaccine safety is the cornerstone of a successful Corona vaccination campaign. To ensure transparency and education, you have the opportunity to report suspected adverse effects following a Corona vaccination to official bodies.
One option is to report such a suspicion of adverse effects via the Paul Ehrlich Institute’s online form.
