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COVID-19 and Transplant Patients
Transplants | Last Active: Mar 6, 2021 | Replies (459)Comment receiving replies
@sueinmn- Can I jump in here? This vaccine is different in that it introduces, for the first time ever on humans, the mRNA-based vaccine.(the molecule which tells cells what to build) genetic material called mRNA inside a special coating so other proteins won't attack it. Once produced within the body, the antigen is recognized by the immune system, preparing it to fight the real thing. mRNA can most easily be described as instructions for the cell on how to make a piece of the “spike protein” that is unique to SARS-CoV-2. Since only part of the protein is made, it does not do any harm to the person vaccinated but it is antigenic. https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/covid-19/hcp/mrna-vaccine-basics.html
DNA based vaccines use a weakened or synthetic material vs the mRNA which have the actual live virus. This is needed because SARS-CoV-2 is an unknown virus to our bodies and an immune reaction needs to be activated in order to make this happen.
Since I am not a science major I hopefully haven't mess this explanation up too badly!
Here is more information
http://sitn.hms.harvard.edu/flash/2015/rna-vaccines-a-novel-technology-to-prevent-and-treat-disease/
https://www.phgfoundation.org/briefing/rna-vaccines
Replies to "@sueinmn- Can I jump in here? This vaccine is different in that it introduces, for the..."
Thank you - I understand mRNA vaccines better after reading this info carefully, now that they are a reality. If I were on immunosuppressant medication, I too would want to be sure it had been tested on people on this type of therapy.
However, the articles are very clear that the vaccine does not contain "live virus" like early smallpox & polio vaccines and the like, but rather a piece of the protein from the RNA to provoke the immune response.
My daughter and cousin are on immunosuppressants, so I will be watching this thread carefully.
Sue
A big question is, will these antigens make a difference in how easy/hard it will be for us to find potential donor match if we need another transplant in the future?
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@merpreb and all I am concerned, also, about the vaccine. Not only for my for my husband who has had his kidney just over 4 years now, but for me with my autoimmune conditions. We will be watching this very closely. I don't have a lot of confidence in his nephrologist, and I will be asking my specialists next week.
Ginger