Many vaccines put a weakened or inactivated germ into our bodies to trigger an immune response, but the current COVID-19 vaccines work a little different. Instead, they teach our cells how to make a protein—or even just a piece of a protein—that triggers an immune response inside our bodies. That immune response, which produces antibodies, is what protects us from getting infected or seriously ill if the real virus enters our bodies.
mRNA vaccines
Pfizer and Moderna are mRNA vaccines. mRNA stands for messenger ribonucleic acid.
View How mRNA vaccines work online
COVID-19 mRNA vaccines give instructions to our cells to make a harmless piece of what is called the “spike protein” which is the same protein found on the surface of the virus that causes COVID-19 disease.
Next, our cells display this protein piece on its surface, similar to how the COVID-19 virus would. Our immune systems recognize that the protein doesn’t belong there and begins building an immune response and making antibodies, like what happens in an actual COVID-19 infection.
After the protein piece is made, our cells break down the ‘instructions’ from the vaccine. At the end of the process, our bodies have learned how to protect against any future COVID-19 infection.
The benefit of mRNA vaccines, like all vaccines, is that those who are vaccinated gain protection without ever having to risk the serious consequences of getting sick with COVID-19.
Adenovirus vaccines
Johnson & Johnson is an adenovirus vaccine. Currently, there are no adenovirus vaccines available for anyone under 18 years of age.
View How Adenovirus-based vaccines work online
In an Adenovirus-based vaccine, scientists take part of the SARSCoV-2 virus’s code (its DNA) and add it to a modified adenovirus (a virus that can cause the common cold).
This teaches your immune systems to learn to recognize and fight the SARS-CoV-2 virus without causing you to be infected.
The vaccine will not give you the COVID-19 virus or cause you to be infectious to others
Sources:
University of Michigan: The Top 5 COVID-19 Vaccine Candidates Explained
CDC: Understanding mRNA COVID-19 Vaccines
Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia: Questions and Answers about COVID-19 Vaccines
CDC: Different COVID-19 Vaccines
MDHHS: How mRNA vaccines work
MDHHS: How Adenovirus-based vaccines work