South Korean Disease Control and Prevention Agency said about Vaccine pregnant women can start make an appointment for Pfizer or Moderna coronavirus vaccination starting from Friday, October 8, with the start date of October 18.
According to Reuters, Vaccine pregnant women are the main targets of the coronavirus vaccination campaign in South Korea. South Korean health authorities have repeatedly stressed that pregnant women are at a higher risk of developing serious illness or even dying if they are infected with the novel coronavirus.
“These two vaccines are safe for pregnant women and can significantly reduce their risk of contracting the novel coronavirus and developing into serious illness,” said the South Korean Disease Control and Prevention Agency at a press conference on Monday. It is also reminded that women who are not more than 12 weeks pregnant should consult a doctor before being vaccinated.
DNA vaccines can also play a role in combating diseases such as cancer and AIDS. How do they work? How are they different from other vaccines that already on the market?
The principle of traditional vaccines is to make the virus fight against the virus itself. Inject significantly weakened or inactivated viruses into the body to train the immune system to act quickly when the virus invades. However, it may be cumbersome and time-consuming to cultivate, weaken or extract a part of the virus in large quantities, especially if the virus keeps mutating.
Since the end of the 20th century, scientists have tried to develop a simpler way to teach the human body to overcome diseases. This brings a new generation of immunity: genetic vaccine. Most of them are used to fight against novel coronavirus pneumonia, such as Pfizer (41.9699, -0.35, -0.83%)and Moderna using courier ribonucleic acid (mRNA).
However, DNA vaccines such as ZyCoV-D have taken a step back in this process. Researchers first found the DNA that would produce spiny protein (which helps the virus adhere to specific parts of the host) and bring it into the cell. This DNA is then transcribed into mRNA, which instructs cells to produce target viral proteins to prepare the immune system.
DNA vaccines and mRNA have reliable safety records, and the production cost is much lower than traditional vaccines. They are also easy to improve to cope with virus mutation. However, DNA vaccines have advantages over mRNA vaccines: DNA vaccines are easier to transport and store and more easily distributed in poor countries with weak infrastructure.
The storage temperature of ZyCoV-D is between 2 and 8 degrees Celsius, but it shows good stability for at least 3 months in an environment of 25 degrees Celsius. However, the storage temperature of Pfizer vaccine is as low as minus 80 degrees Celsius.
The interim results of phase III clinical trials in India show that the efficacy of ZyCoV-D in preventing symptomatic cases is 66.6%. This is less effective than other coronavirus vac such as Pfizer in responding to Delta strains, but still provide effective protection.
The approval of the ZyCoV-D comes at a time when some countries are struggling to obtain a sufficient number of coronavirus vac. In the fight against COVID-19 and other diseases, DNA vac. have opened up another type of vaccine method that can be tried. More DNA vaccines will be on the market soon. The DNA vac of Inovio Pharmaceuticals in the United States is in the final stage of testing, as is the vac. jointly developed by Osaka University and two Japanese companies.
Genetic vac are called potential treatments for other diseases such as cancer. In the case of cancer, genetic vac. strengthen the immune system by transmitting genetic information that teaches the immune system to identify tumor antigens. An mRNA designed to fight AIDS will also start testing soon.
These innovative vaccination methods previously lacked resources to spread among the population, and the coronavirus pandemic accelerated the process. The funds they receive now may have an impact on other diseases, even after the coronavirus is no longer a serious threat.