The end of the coronavirus pandemic, which affected the whole world, caused many habits to change and brought the concept of 'new normal' to daily life, has come to an end. According to experts, the only way to end the pandemic and restore life is through vaccination. The vaccination program in our country is also carried out by the Ministry of Health. One of the vaccines included in the community vaccination program is the Pfizer/BioNTech mRNA vaccine, also known as the German vaccine. So what does the BioNTech vaccine contain? Does the vaccine really protect against COVID-19, what is the BioNTEch protection rate? What are the side effects of the Pfizer vaccine? You can find the answers to all these questions in the continuation of the article.
What is the BioNTech Vaccine?
The vaccine coded BNT162b2, developed against COVID-19, which is more commonly called the BioNTech vaccine in the community, was developed by the German BioNTech company and based in the USA. It was produced as a result of the joint work of the pharmaceutical company Pfizer. The BioNTech vaccine, which is used in many countries, especially in the countries of the European continent, started to be applied for the first time in our country on April 12, 2021. Although the exact numbers are not disclosed by the Ministry, experts estimate that more than 30 million doses of BioNTech vaccine have been administered in Turkey.
Vaccines work with the mechanism of preparing the body for a possible infection by stimulating the immune system of the person. The substances in the vaccines create an effect as if the person has taken the relevant microorganism into his body. As a result of this effect, the immune system is stimulated, but the person does not become ill. The stimulated immune system produces a special protein called an antibody to fight the vaccine it perceives as a microorganism. These antibodies produced by the immune system remain in the body for a long time. Thus, when the relevant microorganism enters the body at a later period, the immune system acts as if it has encountered this virus or bacteria before, and immediately destroys the microorganism. Therefore, the microorganism disappears before it can cause disease in the human body. In order for vaccines to have this effect on the immune system, some substances are included in their content. For example, in the Sinovac vaccine, the vaccine contains an inactivated new type of coronavirus. Thanks to inactivated virus when people who have this vaccine are vaccinated They do not get sick, but their bodies recognize the virus. So what are the BioNTech vaccine features? The BioNTech vaccine is produced with a new technology in the medical world. BioNTech vaccine, an mRNA vaccine, enables body cells to produce the S (Spike) protein antigen found in the new type of coronavirus. This antigen produced by the cells is recognized as a virus by the immune system and antibodies against S antigens are produced by this system. Thus, the BioNTech vaccine provides protection against coronavirus.
What is the Content of BioNTech Vaccine?
BioNTech vaccine contains the following substances:
- BNT162b2 RNA as active ingredient
- ALC- 0315 (4-hydroxybutyl(azanedyl)bis(hexane-6,1-diyl)bis(2-hexyldecanoate)
- ALC-0159 2[(polyethylene glycol)-2000]-N,N-ditetradecylacetamide
- 1,2-Distearoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine
- Cholesterol
- Potassium chloride
- Potassium dihydrogen phosphate
- Sodium chloride
- Disodium hydrogen phosphate dihydrate
- Sucrose
- Water for injection
BioNTech What are the Side Effects?
As with every drug or vaccine, some side effects may be encountered as a result of BioNTech vaccine application.BioNTech also known as Pfizer vaccine side effects can be listed as follows:
- Arm pain
- Redness, swelling, pain at the injection site
- Diarrhea
- Nausea, vomiting
- Feeling sick, offended, unhappy
- In the lymph nodes swelling, enlarged size (lymphadenopathy)
- Fever
- Joint pain
- Chilly
- Muscle pain
- Fatigue
- Headache
- Slight allergic reaction symptoms such as itching, rash, facial swelling
BioNTech vaccine is whether the vaccine causes an allergic reaction and heart inflammation. The Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine may, in rare cases, cause a serious allergic reaction, myocarditis, and pericarditis in people receiving the vaccine. may be seen:
- Difficulty breathing
- Swelling of the face and throat, edema
- Increased heart rate
- Rash that spreads throughout the body
- Dizziness
- Weakness
- Difficulty breathing
- Chest pain
- Increased heart rate, palpitation
How Long Do BioNTech Vaccine Side Effects Last?
Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine side effects are usually more pronounced after the second dose. Symptoms such as arm pain, swelling/redness at the site of infection, feeling sick, headache, malaise and similar symptoms, which can be called mild side effects, usually go away on their own within a few days. Painkillers containing paracetamol active ingredient can be used to alleviate post-vaccine side effects such as headache, fever and muscle pain. In order to reduce pain, redness or swelling at the injection site, cold application can be applied to the relevant area. Moving the vaccinated arm can also alleviate the side effects. Preferring loose clothing instead of tight clothing that will squeeze the vaccinated arm also contributes to the relief of the symptoms seen at the injection site.
Myocarditis and pericarditis symptoms, which are rare side effects of the BioNTech vaccine, usually appear within a few days after the second dose. People who show signs of heart inflammation such as shortness of breath, palpitations, chest pain after BioNTech vaccine should apply to the nearest health institution without delay. Since a serious allergic reaction is a situation that requires urgent intervention, those who have the BioNTech vaccine should wait in the hospital for 20-30 minutes after the application. During this period, any symptoms that can be seen in the person who is vaccinated can be noticed in the early period and emergency intervention can be started.
How Many Doses of the BioNTech Vaccine Should Be Taken?
Experts BioNTech Vaccine provides the desired level of protection. states that at least two doses should be administered to provide coldness. Since there was only Sinovac vaccine available in the first period of vaccination in our country, citizens vaccinated during this period can use their 3rd dose vaccine right either as Sinovac again or as BioNTech. Studies are continuing to determine whether a third dose of BioNTech vaccine is required against new variants with increasing contagiousness all over the world. In the light of the data to be obtained from these studies, those who have received two doses of BioNTech vaccine may need a third dose in the future.
When should the 2nd dose of BioNTech be administered?
The manufacturer should administer two doses of BioNTech vaccine at 3-week intervals. stated that it should be done. Depending on different factors such as vaccine supply and antibody studies in our country, there may be changes in the interval between two doses from time to time. For this reason, it would be more appropriate for people who are wondering when they can get the second dose, to use channels such as 'Hayat Eve Sığar' or 'E-pulse' and to learn the second dose information from these channels.
What is the BioNTech Vaccine Protection Rate?
According to information from different countries of the world regarding Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine protection, the protection against COVID-19 was found over 90% in people who received two doses. The vaccine provided close to 100% protection against COVID-19 complications such as intensive care unit admission and death. There are studies showing that although the protection of the vaccine against new variants is somewhat reduced, its effect continues. It is important to follow national and international sources regarding the current protection rate of the vaccine in order to obtain more reliable information.
Coronavirus vaccines are very effective and safe, although they have been developed in a short time. Pfizer BioNTech vaccine has been approved by the FDA (Food and Drug Administration, American Food and Drug Administration), an authority recognized all over the world. Vaccination is a necessity to end the pandemic and protect both individual and public health. We wish you healthy days.
Read: 46
