Nature, forgotten by its most advancing inhabitants called humans, is currently on a mortal mission to get back its control. And we, humans, are somehow unfortunate enough to experience an unstoppable plague Covid-19 by SARS-CoV-2 Virus, learning what has been missed out in terms of humanity we kept defining so far. At this very crucial point, from which expertise has been developing remedies for further survival, has become an opportunity to be hopeful but still, the risk remains. Along with the rush it was possible to develop remedies, what we call Covid-19 Vaccines.

Pfizer’s Basic Info.

This is a well-developed “mRNA” type vaccine known generally as Pfizer-BioNTech Covid-19 Vaccine and is called Pfizer Vaccine, also called “BNT162b2”, which is its original research name that might not be familiar to us. It is recommended to get 2 doses each apart from 21 days while immunocompromised people, those who are having impaired immune system to fight internally against Covid-19 are instructed to get 3 doses. 

After expertise getting spurred on developing a vaccine and succeeded in respective work, the need of accelerating the process came up. An effective result was developed through the collaboration between Pfizer, an American multinational pharmaceutical and biotechnology corporation, and BioNTech which is a German biotechnology company. This partnership was absolutely advantageous and the intended acceleration could be approached.

What is meant by “mRNA”?

mRNA (Messenger ribonucleic acid) is a novel vaccine type, very different from previous types to prevent various harmful viruses. This teaches our immune system to make memory cells so that if we are exposed to the virus, the immune system has the capability to make the production of antibodies rapidly more active and to fight against the causes of the virus again.

In a scientific context, the mRNA vaccines contain genetic information to produce a viral trait for desired response by the immune system. The Contents of the mRNA can neither make changes in DNA nor enter where the DNA resides. 

Who can receive the Pfizer vaccine?

The vaccine has been tested effective on most people and it was also found safe and effective in people with various conditions such as diabetes, hypertension, asthma, and liver, kidney, and pulmonary diseases. However, statistics of effectiveness for persons living with HIV and immune-compromised people are limited to decide its safety and effectiveness against Covid.

The Pfizer vaccine is also recommended for people who have been diagnosed with Covid-19 once, as the risk of re-infection is present.

Not only in Sri Lanka but all around the world, the question of the safety of Covid vaccines has been questioned for pregnant women and breastfeeding mothers. As of the announcements made by the World Health Organization, It is safe to get vaccinated with Pfizer for both mothers and mothers-to-be. However, it is also advised to educate about the risks of Covid-19 on pregnancy to help mothers to assess the danger and the risk of not getting vaccinated.

Although adolescents are not at high risk of mortality due to Covid-19, they possess a high ability to transmit the virus among the community. It is also tested that they show high effectiveness against covid once vaccinated with Pfizer. But kids below the age of 12 are not advised to get vaccinated as the data of efficacy and probability of complications are not yet available.

People with a history of severe allergies and allergic reactions to any component of the vaccine must not get vaccinated at any occassion.

Is the Pfizer vaccine safe?

Although its long-term side-effects and complications have yet to be realized, the Pfizer vaccine was thoroughly assessed by the World Health Organization for its quality, safety, and effectiveness on the variants of Covid-19. It has been tested that the efficacy of this vaccine is around 95% against the virus.

After testing on many variants of the Covid-19 virus, it was found out that the Pfizer vaccine is effective against the variants of the virus.

What kind of Risks and after-effects take place after vaccination of Pfizer?

Mild headaches, tiredness, fever, and pain and numbness on the injection site are the generally recorded after-effects caused by the Pfizer Vaccine. Also in very rare cases, it’s been reported of myocarditis and pericarditis after the second dose of mRNA vaccines including Pfizer. This condition was mostly reported on young men. This condition is completely treatable and with a little bit of rest, it subsides with no lasting symptoms at all! So it is beneficial to get vaccinated as it outweighs the risk of myocarditis and pericarditis instead of being in fear and falling into more risk.

However, as the probability of reduced transmission rates of the virus and the elimination of the virus from the body once vaccinated is yet to be found, it is highly advised that we follow the health guidelines and maintain social distance after vaccination.

Whether you’re dosed or not, make sure others safety and act wisely as a responsible citizen. No matter how the Covid-19 variants become serious and complicated, Our main objective is to stop the spread. And, even if this worsen situation still continues to become more and more dreadful, the Science, its branches and expertise on these branches altogether will be coming up with many pharmaceutical advancements soon that will not be so far from the present.

Let’s embrace faith in a future where our loved ones inhale clean air freely with us without a doubt.

Written By Rtr. Sachith Gomes