Americans at risk become eligible for fourth COVID vaccine this week

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SPEAKER: How COVID-19 Works

Does the mRNA vaccine work?

COVID vaccines are now

available.

Some of the COVID-19 vaccines

are mRNA vaccines, but what is

this mean?

MRNA vaccines are

different from traditional

vaccines.

MRNA vaccines do not expose you

to any real virus instead,

they are made with messenger

Ribonucleic acid or mRNA.

It is a type of molecule that

gives instructions to the cell

to know how to make different kinds

protein.

MRNA molecules are

a natural part of our cells

and how our body works.

The researchers worked

with mRNA vaccines

for many years.

They are done more easily

and safely in a laboratory

than a vaccine that uses

a virus.

Therefore, they can also

be made faster.

COVID-19 mRNA vaccines

have passed numerous tests in laboratories

and in thousands of people,

and meet strict standards

from the FDA.

So how do these vaccines work?

First, an mRNA vaccine against COVID-19

is injected into a muscle

across the top of your arm.

Some muscle cells take mRNA

instructions in the vaccine

and make a harmless piece

of a protein called

an advanced protein.

This protein is found

outside of SARS-CoV-2

virus that causes COVID-19.

Muscle cells then destroy

the instructions to do

peak protein.

MRNA never goes

in the nucleus of your cells

where your DNA is stored.

The new cutting edge protein now

is on the surface

muscle cells.

Your immune system detects

peak protein

like an alien threat to destroy,

he starts to make antibodies

fight anything

with that spike protein on it.

It will help your body

the immune system recognizes

and fight the real virus if it

ever shows up.

It’s like recognizing someone

by the hat they wear.

Your body is then

ready to detect COVID-19

and fight him before he grows up

in the cells of your body.

Quick facts to remember

on mRNA vaccines against COVID-19.

They help to get your body

ready to fight COVID-19

virus before it makes you sick,

they don’t use

any living, dead or weak virus,

they can’t give you COVID-19,

they do not affect your DNA.

You want to know more,

go to cdc.gov to find out more

information on mRNA vaccines.

You can also read more about

how the vaccines were approved

on fda.gov.

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