A closer look at how the Pfizer-BioNTech Covid-19 vaccine works once administered

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EUREKA, Calif. (KIEM) — The rollout of a Covid-19 vaccine has been met with excitement and hope, but also some skepticism over its safety and potential risks.

So, how does Pfizer-BioNTech’s vaccine work? It uses mRNA to teach the body how to make a protein that triggers an immune response. That response produces antibodies. It does not contain a live virus, and does not interact with a person’s DNA.

“We’re getting a little bit of information about the Covid virus itself called a spike protein, and then we give it to you. Next time Covid comes to see if it can affect you, your body already knows that one spike protein, and that’s all it needs to know at that time,” according to Public Health Family Nurse Practitioner Lindsey Mendez.

It’s available regardless of whether or not you’ve had Covid-19 in the past, but if you have the virus, the vaccine should wait until you’ve recovered. According to the CDC, it will take 1 to 2 weeks after receiving the 2nd dose to be considered fully vaccinated.

“We have to remember not everyone in our community is being vaccinated at the same time. We are going to be doing the highest level with people at the highest risk at hospitals in long term care facilities like the federal government is going to be doing,” Mendez says.

Limited information is available as far as how much the vaccine may reduce disease, severity, or transmission and how long protection lasts. So, people are encouraged to continue wearing a mask, practicing social distancing, follow travel guidance, and other recommendations.  

At this point, there isn’t a lot of concrete data on the safety of the vaccine when it comes pregnant women. The CDC recommends talking with their doctor to make an informed decision.