Pfizer-BioNTech Vaccine
Last Saturday (20th of February) David had made an appointment to get his Covid19 Vaccine. I am still 64 until March, so we did not make an appointment for me. I drove with him to Orem for his appointment. While he was inside he asked if I could have the vaccine today as well. Twice he was told no, but after his vaccination he was approached by a nurse and was told that I would be able to have it today. So, he called me and I went inside and got my Pfizer vaccine. I felt the prick and a sensation going down my arm to my hand and down my back. We were hoping the get the Pfizer vaccine, because it was developed by a German company BioNTech partnered with Pfizer. A clinical trial demonstrated that the vaccine has an efficacy rate of 95 percent in preventing Covid-19. An article by Jonathan Corum and Carl Zimmer said: “The SARS-CoV-2 virus is studded with proteins that it uses to enter human cells. These so-called spike proteins make a tempting target for petential vaccines and treatments. Like the Moderna vaccine, the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine is based on the virus’s genetic instructions for building the spike protein. The vaccine uses messenger RNA, genetic material that our cells read to make proteins. The molecule – called mRNA for short-is fragile and would be chopped to pieces by our natural enzymes if it were injected directly into the body. To protect their vaccine, Pfizer and BioNTech wrap the mRNA in oily bubbles made of liqid manoparticles. After injection, the vaccine particles bump into cells and fuse to them, releasing mRNA. The cell’s molecules read its sequence and build spike proteins. The mRNA from the vaccine is eventually destroyed by the cell, leaving no permanent trace.
It is interesting to observe how much energy this trip took out of us. It will take awhile to get back to the new normal once we can get more out. It was nice that we have been given an appointment to get the second vaccine in three weeks time. After the second we wait two more weeks and then we should be good to do more things. Role on the end of March.