Welcome back to episode 441 of the Whole View. (0:27)
Stacy reminds everyone that this is part 2 of the Covid show on vaccines.
So if you've done listened to part 1, be sure to do so first, so this episode will make more sense.
She also reminds listeners that this show isn't about opinions. We all have our own, and Stacy and Sarah aren't here to debate that.
As always, they are here to break down the science for you to make your own informed choices.
Stacy takes a moment to thank Sarah for doing all the research to make these shows possible.
She and Sarah received a lot of feedback from listeners who enjoyed a straightforward approach to this topic.
Sarah explains that it's always more challenging when she knows they're getting into a topic where there's a lot more disinformation and misinformation to combat.
Especially when they take a more myth-busting approach because that information could have come to you from a trusted source.
Sarah extends her gratitude to listeners for being so open to the science and having an open mind.
Sarah takes a minute to run through a recap of mRNA vaccines and how they work, which she covered extensively in Episode 440.
She also reiterates how important funding for basic science discovery is because we almost didn't get this mRNA research.
Different Variants of ConcernSarah reminds listeners that the variations we see in the virus are different enough to count as a new strain. (15:50)
They're called "variants of concern" because they have a few mutations that change the virology (basically make a function change).
We know the novel coronavirus mutates very slowly. But because of the sheer number of people, it's infected so far this year, it's had many opportunities to mutate.
The UK and South African variants have a mutation in common, which is how easily the spike protein binds to the ACE2 receptions and speeding up the replication rate.
This means the infection dose we need to be exposed to become infected is slower. It also means an infected person is shedding more virus than other strains.
In fact, the UK strain is showing 40%-80% more contagious than the original virus.
Pfizer/BioNTech and Moderna both have looked into how the antibodies bind to the different strains, including the UK and South African variants.
Why Target The Spike Protein?Antibodies we make after vaccination bind with the spike protein to block ACE2 binding.
Pfizer/BioNTech has shown that the antibodies that study participants made in response to vaccination effectively bind to and neutralize the UK strain.
Moderna has shown its vaccine is equally good at neutralizing the UK strain.
The vaccines may not work as well against the South African strain but will still provide some protection.
Early data using convalescent plasma shows antibodies against other covid-19 strains don't effectively neutralize the South African strain.
That's bad news for monoclonal antibody treatments, convalescent plasma treatments, and natural infection.
While the Company expects these levels of neutralizing antibodies to be protective, pseudovirus neutralizing antibody titers were approximately 6-fold lower than prior variants.
These lower titers may suggest a potential risk of the earlier waning of immunity to the new B.1.351 strains.
Moderna is working on additional boosters to help bind the South African variant. For more information, check out their latest new release.
Good news, though- a second vaccine against this strain would be easy to make!
Both UK and South African variants have N501Y mutation, which confers a replicative advantage, so when you start shedding the virus, you shed more of it.
This is how scientists currently believe it's more contagious.
The South African variant also attaches to ACE2 receptors more strongly because of two other mutations, E484K and K417N.
Almost all vaccines require "boosters," which is why the Covid vaccine requires two doses to be effective.
The Pfizer/BioNTech and Moderna vaccines' development broke records as the fastest vaccine ever produced. (24:01)
Sarah reiterates from last week's episode that this was made possible by recent mRNA vaccine technology breakthroughs.
Not because any corners were cut!
The speed is also attributed to having the funds necessary to do multiple things when normally these steps would have been done one at a time.
Because we give vaccines to healthy people, the standard of safety is much higher!
Safety & Efficacy: Phase 2/3 Clinical Trial DataSarah explains that phase 2 clinical trials test safety and phase 3 tests for efficacy. (30:05)
It is possible to do phases simultaneously, which happened with the Pfizer/BioNTech and Moderna vaccines and why it's called Phase 2/3.
All the research has since gone through extensive review, both peer and independent, to provide recommendations to the FDA.
Sarah wants to emphasize just how many expert eyes have been on this project. And that this isn't something to be messed up.
It's also important to note that safety and efficacy are ongoing even after distribution.
Preventing Infection:Pfizer/BioNTech:
Moderna:
Episode 465: Too Many Food Restrictions?
Episode 464: Forever Chemicals: What are PFAS?
Episode 463: Is There Science Behind Candida Cleanses?
Episode 462: ADHD Update: Natural Approaches and Medication
Episode 461: Oats-M-G, Are These Actually Healthy?
Episode 460: How to Break the Stress-Flare-Antibiotic Cycle
Episode 459: Gluten-Free Baking, Our Best Tips and Tricks.
Episode 458: Collective Trauma and Re-Entry Anxiety
Episode 457: The Problem with a Low-FODMAP Diet
Episode 456: Foster Care and Mental Health Awareness
Episode 455: Covid-19 Vaccines - Real World Data and Updated Vaccine Studies
Episode 454: J&J and AstraZeneca Covid-19 Vaccines
Episode 453: Should We Eat Breakfast Before 8:30am?
Episode 452: New Science on Soaking or Activating Nuts
Episode 451: ConspiraSEA: Is Sustainable Seafood Impossible?
Episode 450: Spices on the AIP? What’s In, What's Out, and Why.
Episode 449: Navigating Shift Work in a Healthy Way
Episode 448: Marijuana and Gut Health
Episode 447: Basic Needs Don’t Count as Self-Care
Episode 446: Nutrient Deficiencies Caused by Stress
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