Deep and Beyond: Understanding the Nature of Vaccines

Deep and Beyond: Understanding the Nature of Vaccines

Understanding the nature of vaccines for a society of uncertainties

Artwork. Geremy Gallenero

THE incessant and rapid escalation of the CoVID-19 (coronavirus disease) pandemic impinged the nations worldwide until they imposed the necessary preventive measures to dissipate the rising cases. Some of these protocols are the six-foot social distancing, mandatory wearing of masks and face shield, and the thermal body scan before entering public establishments.

Moreover, as in any other period of infectious diseases, the formulation and the distribution of the vaccines also take part in the means of reducing the influence of these illnesses. Despite having the second-worst coronavirus outbreak in Southeast Asia, the Philippines has just begun immunization. Officials admit, however, that convincing many people to take it would be challenging, given that the spread of rumors and misinformation were linked to vaccine fear.

VIRUS VS. VIRUS

A worldwide search for a viable vaccine has yielded many promising experts to unite for the fight against COVID-19, with scientists expecting that more ideas and schemes will follow. Yet, fears are growing after the latest coronavirus hit the world a few months ago, and are beginning to experience the signs of a loose grip.

“A lot of health experts show information drives to convey the importance of the vaccine in our current situation. Our government is doing its job to contain the transmission of this virus in which vaccines are considered as one of the options,” said Leonel Jun Doven Golido, University of San Agustin (USA) Medical Laboratory Science Intern.

Although the vaccines are now available, almost half of the Philippine population still refuses to be vaccinated. Most people want to return to life before the pandemic, but they’re not willing to give up their arm for the vaccine.

“I would like to debunk the myth that you will get COVID-19 from vaccines. It is safe to prescribe and they’ve put it to the test a thousand times because scientists will not release a certain vaccine if they have not tested or proven it for many different times,” expressed Francisco Avanceña Gangoso Jr., Clinical Instructor of USA Clinical Laboratory Immunology and Serology section.

Moreover, Gangoso added that scientist have shown that the virus can be attenuated: killed, a portion of it removed, to prevent the virus from causing COVID-19 disease and only prime the body to make antibodies against it and will serve as the immune system’s defense when expose to the actual virus.

“It has not been proven that viruses used in these vaccines have caused a severe response but we should listen to the conformity based on what some manufacturers would want to advise to send it to, whether it is safe for adults but not for children then we should stick to the adherence,” said Gangoso.

According to him, some individuals are prone to negative side effects such as colds or fevers because they already have something in their bodies waiting to trigger. Not all suff er from the same symptoms; their bodies can be unable to cope with the immune situations. Since receiving the vaccines, more patients have recovered.

“We go back to science. What are the data we have? Even before the FDA, DOH, and DOST released the authority that these drugs are safe and effective. All data are reviewed before the approval is given,” shared Dr. Aretha Liwag, Medical Specialist IV, Quality Management Representative of the WVSU Medical Center.

Furthermore, all of the vaccines underwent three phases and these vaccines cannot be bought in usual pharmacies directly and have to go from the authorities, these are only given from the intervention of the government.

Vaccines of various kinds are being developed by manufacturers all over the world activating the immune system, teaching and preparing your body how to battle viruses in the future.

HEEDING THE CALL

As visible and sufficient scientific data of the vaccine trials surfaced to every social media platform, nation leaders began coordinating with the formulators of the doses to further reform their initial preventive protocols.

To avoid the spread of the deadly coronavirus disease (COVID-19) in the Province of Iloilo, Gov. Arthur Defensor Jr. previously released Executive Order No. 036, sequence of 2021, implementing the COVID-19 Vaccine Deployment and Immunization Plan 2021-2022 (COVAC Plan 21-22).

“We are readying vaccines that are safe, free, and effective. The only way to get protected is through vaccines and stop the spread of the virus through vaccination. We are meeting every sector to address every concern,” said Iloilo City Mayor Jerry P. Treñas in a press statement from the Public Information Office.

In the same initiative, Treñas readied the agreements on the procurement of the vaccines since February and after receiving more than 10, 000 vials of the Sinovac vaccine in March, the Iloilo City Government kicked off the vaccination program.

“The Food and Drug Administration (FDA), Department of Health (DOH), and the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) reviewed the data of the vaccines and released the authority that vaccines are safe and effective. All data are reviewed before the approval is given,” said Liwag.

Before the Philippines acquire vaccines from other countries and distribute them, the Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) reviews the natures of these doses and the criteria includes all the safety data gathered from phases 1 and 2 with a follow-up from the vaccine recipients of the phase 3 trial after at least two months.

“As of now, the most available vaccine is from the Sinovac company, which produces a whole dead virus. Particularly, in this coronavirus, the most potent part that will provide the visible reaction is the corona or spike,” stated Liwag.

She added this whole dead virus will not cause any infection because of its nature and even though it is dead, the soldiers [cells] of our body will recognize its parts as foreign and so, they will give a reaction to this virus.

“Moreover, AstraZeneca is another type of vaccine that has been distributed to our senior citizens and frontliners which will prepare our immunity for the virus,” added Liwag.

Similarly, this vaccine does not contain the live virus and consists of the spike protein which has been inserted into the harmless adenovirus (cold ‘carrier’ virus).

“When it penetrates into the body, the cells make a replica of the protein until the immune system will recognize and have the right agents to fight off the virus,” Liwag concluded.

Furthermore, Iloilo City Government conducted a widerange campaign to encourage the residents to get inoculated and the information drive includes the VAX or Vaccine Explainer which is a series featuring medical experts and officials explaining about the vaccine.

Since the surfacing of several studies about the risk of COVID-19, people were quick to perceive the disease as a threatening disease and that for some, called a demand for vaccine formulation, however, safety concerns are rising and the public’s opinion on accepting vaccines are undeniably divided.

“Belonging to an allied medical profession and equipped with the necessary knowledge, I am much willing to be vaccinated. Through this, our body will have an immunity to the virus, it minimizes the risk of having severe complications related to COVID-19 and it helps the body to recover faster whenever we acquire the virus,” said Galido.

With sufficient knowledge of the nature of the vaccines, some people are in no doubt of the safety and efficacy of the antidote.

“Any brand will do since these vaccines purposely help us to have immunity to the virus. It undergoes strict clinical testing which was carefully studied by hundreds of health experts and approved by the World Health Organization,” Galido added when asked which vaccine he would choose.

Furthermore, Gangoso expressed his opinion that the vaccine is not 100% effective against COVID, but that if he takes it and is exposed to the infection, he would not be seriously decapacitated.

“As a medical worker, I know that vaccines would help and I am ready to get vaccinated. I know, I understand how vaccines work, and I have seen that the good of the vaccine is greater than its adverse effects,” said Gangoso.

Gangoso also shared that the best vaccine is the most readily available vaccine, and encouraged everyone to get vaccinated, always have the heart, and courage to take risks even if it is for their safety.

“Do not let fake news drive you to let yourself not be unsafe. Always verify what you are reading, because what you are reading right now might be your death pen,” Gangoso ended.

On the other hand, Dr. Liwag left a message to everyone to get themselves registered and to not close the door to not getting vaccinated, because it is one of the things that we can do to prevent the spread of the virus.

The initial endeavors to dissipate the detrimental effects of the COVID-19 have continued to shield the public, but never ultimately stopped the transmission. Therefore, the procurement of the vaccines became the target of world leaders, but the people’s acknowledgment is what comes next. In this process, the understanding of the vaccines’ nature from deep and beyond might be necessary to stimulate the willingness of everybody.