VIROLOGY 101

I have been asked some questions recently about the COVID vaccine and the flu and the possibility of creating mutant humans because of a vaccine that alters DNA. Not really so much on the last part, but there are people who have been misinformed on how the COVID vaccine works. I’ve answered these questions on a one-on-on basis enough times now that I thought maybe it would be a good idea to share some science here.

First of all, let’s talk about how COVID-19 is different from the flu. Both viruses have similar symptoms. They both contain RNA encapsulated in a nucleoprotein with an outer coating of other proteins. Here come the difference. Influenza contains eight, single stranded negative sense RNA segments. This virus relies on a collaboration between two of its surface proteins, haemagglutinin (HA) and neuraminidase (NA). HA binds the virus to cells and mediates viral entry. Once inside the cell, the virus starts replicating and making more virus particles. NA causes HA to release from the cell surface, which allows the progeny viruses to exit the cell and go wreck more havoc. Those surface proteins on the influenza virus are the reason why you get a flu shot every year. In influenza A that causes seasonal flu there are eighteen possible subtypes of HA and eleven subtypes of NA. That means there are 198 combinations possible. That is just for Influenza A. Influenza B is also a player in seasonal flu outbreaks. There are four known influenza strains each with multiple subtypes.

COVID-19 or SARS-CoV-2 has a single strand of non-segmented positive sense RNA and one main surface protein called Spike, that attaches the virus to the cell surface. When the virus binds, it injects its RNA and uses the host cell to replicate its genome. Then, new virus particles are released from the infected cell. When COVID-19 emerged in 2019, it was a brand new virus with no available treatments or immunity. That is why it has been so easy to spread. There has been concern from people over the speed at which the vaccine for COVID-19 has been made and released. Vaccine development has been a huge collaborative effort and it had to meet the rigorous scientific and regulatory processes put in place by the FDA, the same processes that any drug or vaccine has to meet in order to be released to the public. I have also heard some concern that the vaccine alters your DNA. That is not true. The vaccine targets the cells involved in immunity. Once inside the cell, it relies on that cell’s protein making machinery to create a protein that recognizes the Spike protein on the COVID-19 surface. All of that stuff happens in the cytoplasm. The vaccine does not enter the nucleus where your DNA is stored and it does not have the enzymes that would allow it to incorporate into DNA.

So…would I get this vaccine? Yes. I cannot roll up my sleeve fast enough. As soon as I am eligible, I am getting this shot and then going back and getting the second round of the shot. Our plan is to have a big vaccination party where your ticket in to the party is your vaccination card. Then I am going to hug all of the people. To vaccinate or not to vaccinate is your choice. It is important that you know the consequences of whatever choice you decide to make. The FDA website has a whole list of answers to some frequently asked questions regarding the vaccine. The CDC is also a great place to go for information on the virus and the vaccine.

At the very least, you should get vaccinated so you can come to my party.