I'm in Pfizer's COVID vaccine trial, ask me anything.

[CrowsFeast]

Also TIL that the nose has essentially a separate immune system.

well that's an interesting statement... I'm going to have to read that article when I'm not intoxicated.

[Brokeass_baller]

I read somewhere that this covid vaccine does not contain a dead virus, like other vaccines do. Is this true? If it is, how is the body developing the antibodies to fight it? I'm a very non-science-y guy, so please explain like I'm a 5 year old. Lol.

[Diomedes]

Yeah it's been in the works for a while, but this is the first clinical use. One reason we were able to get these out so fast was that the basic technology was ready to rock, we just had to adapt it to SARS-CoV-2, which turned out to be pretty easy. I think it was Moderna who had their vaccine ready just 2 days after the genome of the virus was released back in January.

[Brokeass_baller]

Wow that's crazy. Thanks for info!

[Axel]

"I think it was Moderna who had their vaccine ready just 2 days after the genome of the virus was released back in January."

Damn, that's cool! It's a shame we have all these deaths and practically the whole time there's the safe, effective, vaccine in the labs, and we just can't know that for sure until we test it.

Do you envision any future scenario where the basic technology is proven and we can *bam* drop a vaccine on the market in quantity within a month or two? (I guess not, but what the heck, I'll ask the scientist)

[Tarsun2]

the virus looks like a tennis ball with specifically shaped protein spikes on the outside of it. (If you google it, you'll get a much better picture lol)

the mRNA thats injected into the body is the coded sequence for those protein spikes (and only those spikes). your body makes those spikes for a short period of time and they are disposed of by your immune system.
then you're good to go. (in so many words)

now, when the virus enters your body, your immune system sees those spikes on the virus and immediately starts attacking.

this is an overly simplified explanation of the process...

[JonM]

I just got my first dose and I’m now waiting for the superpowers to kick in.

[boarder2k7]

I read somewhere that this covid vaccine does not contain a dead virus, like other vaccines do. Is this true? If it is, how is the body developing the antibodies to fight it? I'm a very non-science-y guy, so please explain like I'm a 5 year old. Lol.

This twitter thread does a humorous job of the ELI5 version of how this works.

https://mobile.twitter.com/WheatNOil/status/1339624815137722368

[Nish]

I didn't see it if it's here so I'm sorry if you have already answered this.

Are people in your test group getting the follow up shot?

[Diomedes]

Yup, two shots, 3 weeks apart.

[Challenger007]

I didn't see it if it's here so I'm sorry if you have already answered this.

Are people in your test group getting the follow up shot?

Kind of like the Pfizer vaccine involves re-injecting the drug to bolster the immune response. Well, it was said in the news, in extreme

[Axel]

Are the first and second doses identical?

[Diomedes]

Yes, I believe so. To my knowledge that's the case. If there's any difference, it would be the volume, not the actual contents. Same stuff that matters.

[Axel]

Can I slip someone a $50 to get stuck early? Or even better, a $100 to stick an anti-vaxxer?

KIDDING

just kidding...

wish I wasn't but still...

[un2xs]

COVID-19 vaccines: What does 95% efficacy actually mean? It doesn't mean 5% of vaccinated people get infected.

https://www.livescience.com/covid-19-vaccine-efficacy-explained.html?utm_source=pocket-newtab

I have to admit that it doesn't mean what I thought it meant. (In my defense, my last biology course was over 40 years ago. :-)

Diomedes: Is there anything you would like to add to or explain about that article?

[Diomedes]

The easiest way to think about it, I think, is with probabilities. If a vaccine is 95% effective at preventing infection, it means that for any given situation, you are 1/20th as likely to be infected if you are vaccinated compared to if you are not. In other words, a 95% effective vaccine reduces you risk of infection by 95%.

[MAr]

Actual photo of Bill Gates controlling Diomedes thoughts and actions via 5G chip implant, 2021, colourized:

[JonM]

I got my second dose of the Pfizer vaccine last month. Luckily, all I got from it was a stiff arm for a few days and ALL GLORY TO BILL GATES! a couple night of uncomfortable sleep as I rolled onto it. Who smells toast?

[Jonnydread]

Actual photo of Bill Gates controlling Diomedes thoughts and actions via 5G chip implant, 2021, colourized:

You know I've always thought of Diomedes as the kind of guy you get when you combine Bill Gates, Dr. Robotnik and a lumberjack.

[Chappy]

You know I've always thought of Diomedes as the kind of guy you get when you combine Bill Gates, Dr. Robotnik and a lumberjack.

Sounds about right...