Foreign Correspondent Nishat Mirza Answers COVID-19 Vaccine Questions
Foreign Press sit down with Nishat Mirza as she answers your COVID-19 vaccine-related questions. Mirza is a COVID-19 researcher, foreign correspondent/news anchor, a member of the Association Foreign Press Correspondents (AFC-USA), and youth advocate at the United Nations. She received two doses of the Pfizer-Biontech vaccine at New York-Presbyterian Hospital.
Mirza sat down with the Turkish Journal on Feb. 7, 2021, to explain the science behind the COVID-19 vaccines.
How does the Vaccine Work? - The COVID-19 vaccines work like no other, Mirza explains. Pfizer and Moderna are a new type of vaccine called mRNA vaccines. When administered, a person will receive a part of the virus called the mRNA. This mRNA will give instructions to their cells on how to make the spike protein. This is the protein found on the surface of the virus that causes COVID-19. It will trigger an immune response in the body, which will then create antibodies. After this, the cells break down the instructions and get rid of them. If a vaccinated person were to get infected by the virus, their body will recognize that the protein doesn’t belong and their antibodies will protect them.
How effective is the vaccine? - As of now, there are two vaccines being administered, Pfizer and Moderna. A third vaccine by Johnson and Johnson has recently been authorized by the US FDA. The Pfizer vaccine, which Mirza received, effectiveness is 95% after the second dose. The Moderna vaccine effectiveness is 94.1% after the second dose.
Will the vaccine give me COVID-19? - No! Mirza explains that the COVID-19 vaccine is different from other virus vaccines, like the flu. When someone receives the flu vaccine, they are given a weakened or inactive part of the germ of the virus. This helps the body to fight off the virus if affected. That’s not the case with mRNA vaccines like Pfizer and Moderna, which instruct the immune system to produce antibodies against the virus.
Why should I get vaccinated? - “You are not only helping yourself, but you are helping your community,” Mirza said. The more people who get vaccinated means there’ll be fewer people for the virus to infect. This will cause the COVID-19 virus to weaken. The weaker the virus, the less deadly it is and the sooner society can return to normalcy.
When can I get the vaccine? - The first people to qualify in the US to be vaccinated are essential works, like doctors and nurses, because they are exposed to the virus on a daily basis. Mirza is hopeful everyone will be eligible for the vaccine by Spring or Summer of 2021.
For more information on COVID-19 and vaccines visit cdc.gov