COVID-19 Moderna Vaccine

The mRNA in Moderna’s COVID-19 vaccine provides instructions to the cells on how to make a spike protein. After the piece of protein is created, the enzymes in the cells break down the mRNA and get rid of it naturally.

The spike protein is then displayed on the surface of the cells to trigger the immune system. An immune response is built and the immune system starts creating antibodies to fight off the protein that doesn’t belong in the body. This process equips the body with protection against future COVID-19 infection. The vaccine may not protect a vaccinated individual until 10 to 14 days after the second shot.

During clinical trials, the side effects that happen within 7 days after vaccination were common but mostly mild to moderate. Fever, chills, fatigue, and headache often occur after the second dose. Only a few people experienced severe side effects that made it difficult to perform daily tasks.

The Moderna COVID vaccine shows a 94.1% vaccine efficacy at preventing symptomatic COVID-19. This was based on evidence acquired during clinical trials wherein participants, who had not been previously infected, were given the complete 2-dose shots of the vaccine.

The common side effects of the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine are discomfort at the injection site, fatigue, headache, muscle and joint pain, chills, fever, nausea, and vomiting.

Moderna COVID-19 vaccine side effects are worse after the second shot because the immune system already recognizes the virus spike protein from the first and second dose, thus creating a stronger response.

The difference between the Moderna COVID-19 booster and Moderna’s third shot is that the booster is only half the amount of the original dose and is meant to extend the effectiveness of the first two doses in a series. 

The third shot, on the other hand, has the same amount as the first or second dose and is given to people with very weak immune systems or those whose immune systems didn’t respond very well to the first two shots.

The chances of getting serious side effects from the COVID-19 vaccine, such as anaphylaxis, are very rare. Only 0.3% of partially vaccinated people and 0.2% of those fully vaccinated experienced severe allergic reactions.

You can still get COVID-19 after the vaccine since no vaccine can give 100% protection against the COVID virus. This is called a “breakthrough infection”. Although you can still get infected, the COVID-19 symptoms are milder and recovery is quicker.

After the first Moderna COVID-19 shot, you can get the second shot after 28 days.

The Moderna COVID-19 vaccine can be given as a booster to fully vaccinated individuals ages of 18 years and older.

You should take the COVID-19 booster shot at least five months after the second vaccination dose.

You cannot mix COVID-19 vaccines for the primary two-dose series. If you got Moderna for the first dose, you should also get Moderna for the second dose. However, the booster shot doesn’t need to be the same as the first two shots. The CDC recommends getting either Pfizer-BioNTech or Moderna for the booster shots.

It is normal for the Moderna vaccine to cause swelling in the armpit. It is a rare but recognized side effect of the vaccine. The lymphatic system is located in the immune system. Swollen lymph nodes are a sign that the body is preparing a response to an infection and in the case of the vaccine, a response to the virus spike protein.