Covid-19 vaccines Flashcards
Where does SARS-CoV-2 come from?
It originated from bats => than pangolin => than fish => than human
Why do we believe that the virus originated from Fish and Seafood Market in Wuhan?
The animals are maintained alive so the virus was active, everything is compact => perfect environment for virus transmission
What is the hypothesis on how SARS-CoV-2 was created?
Two viruses, such as one from animals and one from humans, infected the same cell and a third virus came out => SARS-CoV-2
What does SARS-CoV-2 binds to (receptor) and how can we stop that?
It binds to the ACE2 receptor
Possible to prevent receptor binding: inject soluble ACE2 receptors so the virus binds to that => possible vaccine option
What do you want with a vaccine?
The ideal vaccine prevents infection, a less better vaccine still gets infected but doesn’t get sick, even less good vaccine only prevents death
What do we need to build a vaccine against Covid-19?
Taking parts of only the spike proteins to make a vaccine doesn’t work well, but if you integrate also other parts of proteins of the virus the the vaccine could work
What can be said about traditional vaccines for Covid-19?
Killed whole virus: activates antibodies and some T-cells (CD4) but presents health concerns
Spike + adjuvant subcomponent: use only part of proteins of the virus (spike proteins) and add adjuvants to create proper immune response
This type of vaccine can be injected multiple times but the immune response is only centered on that precise protein so may not protect against all corona viruses
What can be said about adenovirus vectors (spike protein) vaccine for Covid-19?
Activates antibodies and T-cells (CD4 + CD8)
Does not protect against infection, but perhaps against disease
Can not be given several times
What can be said about RNA vaccines for Covid-19?
Activates antibodies and T-cells (CD4 + CD8)
Must be kept frozen at -80
Strong immunogenic response (side effects)
