A vaccine for what?

[Paula Sims]

In all these hearings and press conferences and coverage, references are made to "a vaccine". What is the vaccine for? Prevention? "Cure"? Minimization of symptoms?

And REALISTICALLY, even if we did get a preventative vaccine, like the flu shot, it's only a guess as to the strain and thus the effectiveness of the vaccination, so are we looking at the same thing for the Covid vaccine?

My questions aren't to spark debate, more education (at least for me)

Thank you

Personal note: I am not anti-vaxx but can't get the flu shot due to pre-existing genetic issues

[uponit7771]

1. THIS !!!! This is some horror movie shit where the vaccine ends up making zombies and shit

... because they didn't fully test it.

[abqtommy]

2. While I'm not a medical professionsl, I view the various vaccines as Preventatives while various

Last edited Tue May 12, 2020, 12:26 PM - Edit history (1)

medications are Treatments To Minimize Symptoms. That being said, there are vitamins and
supplements to strengthen the immune system.

https://duckduckgo.com/?t=ffnt&q=vitamins%2C+suplements+and+foods+to+strengthen+the+immune+system+&ia=web

let me know if there's a problem with the link, or do your own search...

I found out that some supplements I regularly use support immunity and I added NAC which I bought
at Vitamin Cottage.

I've never met a vaccine I didn't like and I got my flu shot last fall.

As a bonus for me, I smoke two packs of cigarettes a day so I have the nicotine covered and no matter the source of nicotine it appears to help against COVID-19.

We can do it and get through it!

[matt819]

3. Good point

The annual seasonal flu shot, from what I understand, is designed to prevent or minimize the impact of a select group of viruses that are likely to be prominent in the region in which the shot is given. At least I think there’s a regional component.

Since COVID-19 appears to have you take it all ready, I think you’re right that you have to consider which mutations are being vaccinated against.

Then there’s the question of the areas where the shot should be given priority, which strains of the virus would be protected against, and so much more. I’m no scientist, but it strikes me that vast testing would be required for all of that to happen.

[Nonhlanhla]

4. A vaccine is per definition preventative

There is a difference between a vaccine (which prevents an illness), and medications that treat an illness. From what I've read, this virus is mutating, yes, but the mutations are not at a pace that will prevent the vaccine from being effective, since all the vaccines that are being developed target multiple aspects of the virus' mechanism, so even if one mechanism mutates, the vaccines can still target the virus. Also, apparently it does not mutate in the same way that flu viruses do. So it won't be a matter of being a guess as to the strain. The bigger issue right now is the risk of fast tracking vaccine development in such a way that it could aggravate the illness, hence the need for safety trials despite the pandemic.

[SheltieLover]

5. K&R!