Everything you should know about the Moderna Vaccine Series 2

The battle against the Covid-19 disease continues to linger on as well as take its toll in the number of deaths so far and in terms of the economic costs caused by disruption to the established systems of doing business both at the local and global levels.

The fight against this monstrosity is one that demands international collaboration at both governmental and organizational levels. It is to this call that the pharmaceutical company, Moderna has responded by producing the mRNA-1273 vaccine.

This article reviews vital information about the vaccine that should help enlighten the public about its safety, efficacy, and administration. Below are the things you should know about the Moderna Vaccine.

As has been the practice so far with all previous COVID-19 vaccines, based on the recommendations of WHO; health workers who as a result of their frontline contacts with Covid-19 patients are at high risk of exposure and older people that have shown higher susceptibility to the disease should be prioritized for vaccination.

It is expected that as more vaccine becomes available, other priority groups would be vaccinated, with attention to people disproportionately affected by COVID-19 or who face health inequities.

As at the moment, the vaccine has proved to be safe and effective in people with documented medical conditions such as hypertension, diabetes, asthma, pulmonary, liver, or kidney disease which are associated with increased risk of severe disease, as well as chronic infections that are stable and controlled.

Although further studies are required for immune-compromised persons, people who belong to this category and who are part of a group recommended for vaccination may be vaccinated after receiving information and counseling.

Since those living with HIV seem to be at higher risk of severe COVID-19 disease; it is therefore important that those identified HIV-positive vaccine recipients should be provided with relevant information and counseling.

People who have had COVID-19 in the past may be vaccinated; however, individuals may wish to defer their own COVID-19 vaccination for up to six months from the time of SARS-CoV-2 infection.

Breastfeeding women who are part of a group recommended for vaccination (e.g. health workers) may be administered the vaccination; although discontinuing breastfeeding after vaccination is currently not recommended.

Although pregnancy puts women at higher risk of severe COVID-19 infection, there is, however, very little data available to assess vaccine safety in pregnant women.  But in spite of that, looking at the data already available about the vaccine; it does appear that there are not any specific reasons to believe there will be any particular risks that would diminish the benefits of vaccination for pregnant women. Better yet, have a pregnancy scan or consult a doctor to check if the vaccine is safe.

Consequently, those pregnant women who are at high risk of exposure to SARS-CoV-2 (e.g. frontline health workers) or who have comorbidities that add to their risk of severe disease, maybe vaccinated in consultation with their health care provider.

SAGE recommends that individuals with a history of severe allergic reactions to any component of the vaccine should not take this or any other mRNA vaccine. While vaccination is recommended for older persons due to the very high possibility of risk of severe COVID-19 and death, very weak older persons who may be considered to have an anticipated life expectancy of fewer than 3 months should be individually assessed.

Additionally, the vaccine should not be administered to persons under the age of 18 years pending the results of ongoing studies.

The new variants of SARS-CoV-2, which include the B.1.1.7 and the 501Y.V2, from the analysis of available data of the vaccine, do not appear to have the capacity to alter the effectiveness of the Moderna mRNA vaccine. Nevertheless, the monitoring, collection, and analysis of data on new variants of the virus and their impact on the effectiveness of COVID-19 diagnostics, treatments, and vaccines continue.

At the moment, the data available for review of the vaccine is not sufficient to provide definite information for us to know whether the vaccine can prevent infection or protect against onward transmission. Nevertheless, immunity resulting from vaccination persists for several months, although it is not yet certain as to how long that lasts. These are some of the important questions that are being currently studied.

As of now, the best recommendation is for us to continue to maintain public health measures that work, such as masking, physical distancing, handwashing, respiratory and cough hygiene, avoiding crowds, and ensuring good ventilation.

We make every effort to provide you with content that is both relevant and of high quality. More information on the Moderna Vaccine can be obtained from The Watchtower, an award-winning web design and development firm based in London and Dubai. You can also find aspiring content on movies, cinemas, lifestyle, content, company marketing, and production on the website.