Since the Spanish flu pandemic in 1918 that caused millions of deaths around the world, the arrival of the SARS-CoV-2 virus pandemic has emerged as one of the most important health emergencies of this century. The risk of serious illness, hospitalization, and death from illness from this virus increases with age, as well as in people with cardiovascular disease, chronic lung disease, sickle cell disease, liver disease, diabetes, cancer, obesity to name a few some
Although it is true that after 3 years, mass vaccination has proven to be an effective tool to help stop the progress of the pandemic, stop the spread of the virus and reduce serious cases and therefore hospitalization, the fight against this disease continues to be a priority.
Vaccines against COVID-19 developed on mRNA (messenger RNA) technology, such as Moderna’s, are based on simulating a sequence in the virus that instructs cells to produce specific proteins, triggering an immune response. This is achieved through several processes, where the mRNA contained in the vaccine is first encapsulated with lipids or fats to protect it and facilitate its entry into the body. Once the vaccine is administered and mRNA instructions are received at the cell level, the production of proteins against the virus (protective antibodies) begins. Once its purpose is achieved, the mRNA does not stay long in the organism, because it degrades naturally once the signal is emitted without causing permanent changes or changes in the DNA.
Moderna’s ability to rapidly develop, manufacture and commercialize a vaccine against COVID-19 demonstrates the potential of mRNA technology not only to contain pandemics, but also epidemics now that the pandemic has been declared over and we are in an endemic or emerging phase. Moderna’s COVID-19 vaccine has been licensed in more than 70 countries and, to date, more than 1 billion COVID-19 vaccines have been produced, including more than 278 million bivalent or updated booster doses.
Moderna recently applied for FDA clearance for its new updated COVID-19 vaccine, which has shown a strong immune response in preliminary clinical data. This new vaccine, which will be monovalent, contains mRNA that instructs cells to produce spike proteins that protect against the XBB.1.5 sublineage of SARS-CoV-2 (mRNA-1273.815), which is the new variant of current interest. circulated, mainly worldwide, which demonstrates the speed of this type of technology in terms of innovation, which translates into benefits for public health.
Dr. Yamile Sandoval Sánchez, medical manager of the Asofarma Vaccine Unit, explains that the purpose of administering a booster dose is to strengthen the immune response, increase the level of neutralizing or protective antibodies and have longer protection against the virus and its variants. interest (dominant) between one season and another. In this way, the body will be better prepared to deal with new variants of the virus that are circulating.
“The collective benefits of vaccines are essential to control the spread of the virus and protect the most vulnerable. Every day, science supports the safety and effectiveness of these vaccines and it is important to continue to promote the importance of vaccination in the population to fight this permanent threat to the world,” concluded Sandoval.
Today the scientific community has been working tirelessly to develop effective vaccines against COVID-19. This task was not easy: rigorous clinical trials were conducted with thousands of participants whose results were evaluated under strict safety and quality standards by the FDA and international health organizations in order to obtain authorization for use. definitive use. Even so, vaccines continue to be continuously monitored to ensure their safety.
Water source. asofarma