Vaccine 101: How the COVID-19 Vaccine Works in Your Body

Posted on by
Side view shot of male nurse wearing protective mask and gloves preparing medical syringe for giving COVID-19 vaccine injection to senior patient

COVID-19 vaccines have gone through numerous tests, with Russia being the first nation in the world to register such a vaccine. Russia’s president approved the Sputnik V vaccine after yielding positive clinical trial results in the early stages. Currently, mRNA, protein subunit, and vector vaccines are going through phase 3 clinical trials on a large scale in the U.S. 

To understand how the COVID-19 vaccine works in your body, you need to know how your immune system fights the virus.

How Your Immune System Works: Your Body’s Defense

When your body gets an infection from a virus, your immune system fights that infection. Blood has two types of cells – red cells and white cells. Red cells carry oxygen to all parts of your body. White blood cells fight infections. Here are three different types of white blood cells and how they fight infections in your body.

• Macrophages 

They swallow and digest dead cells and germs, but leave parts of the germs called antigens. Your body will identify antigens as dangerous to the body and stimulate antibodies that will attack them.

• B-lymphocytes

These are white blood cells that produce antibodies that attack any pieces of the virus that macrophages leave behind.

• T-lymphocytes

This is another type of white blood cell. They attack infected cells in your body.

How the COVID-19 Vaccine Works in Your Body

These three types of vaccines will prompt your body so that it recognizes and protects you from the COVID-19 virus.

• mRNA Vaccine

This type of vaccine has material from the COVID-19 virus that instructs your cells to make a unique, harmless protein. Your body will realize that the protein is a foreign substance and will build T-Lymphocytes and B-Lymphocytes. These cells will remember how to destroy and fight the virus in case of future infections.

• Protein Subunit

A protein subunit vaccine carries a harmless protein of the virus. The vaccine recognizes that the protein is foreign to your body and begins to make T-lymphocytes and antibodies that will remember how to fight the virus in future infections.

• Vector Vaccine

This vaccine contains a live virus that is a weak version of COVID-19. Once the vaccine is injected inside your body, it causes your body to remember how to fight the COVID-19 virus in case of future infections.

Vaccination is one of the ways you can protect yourself and others from the COVID-19 virus. The vaccine will work with your immune system to fight this virus. If you want to learn more about preventing diseases in your body, enroll in the course entitled “How to Prevent Disease in Your Body (By Eating Fruits and Vegetables!)” offered by Avidity Medical Design Academy. 

10 Healthy Things You Can Do To Bring in the New Year

Posted on by

The pandemic has certainly presented its fair share of health challenges for the average American. These include depression, inactivity, isolation, and everything that comes with these seemingly dire circumstances. But, humans rely on hope, and hope presents itself in the New Year. That is why we’ve included a few health tips for the 2021 new year. 

10 Healthy Tips for 2021

1. Get Outside.

Staying indoors has a negative emotional effect on all humans, as we were meant to enjoy the outdoors. The pandemic has made many of us shutter inside to huddle around our televisions or mobile devices. In the 2021 new year, we need to focus on getting outside. You don’t have to surround yourself with people. Social distancing is very much possible while enjoying the fresh air. 

2. Drink Water.

The rumors of increased alcoholism and other addictions during the pandemic have been worrisome. Instead of giving in to vices, people need to be focusing on health. Drinking a plentiful amount of water helps your immune system and readies your body for each day. 

3. Exercise.

Yes, we all know we should exercise. Staying at home has lessened our natural tendencies for movement. That is why it is important to schedule exercises throughout the day when staying at home. If you are working a desk job, make sure you are engaging in cardio and strength training throughout the week to keep your cardiovascular and age-related health problems in check. 

4. Watch Your Diet.

There are many ways to watch your diet, but crash diets are rarely a good option. Instead, invest some time in meal planning. Avoid fast food. All it takes to eat in a healthier manner is a little purposeful will power. 

5. Consider Supplements.

If you haven’t been getting outside or eating right, consider supplements to help curtail your negative health choices. Talk to a doctor or nutritionist to see what supplements would benefit you the most. 

6. Get Your Flu Shot.

The COVID-19 vaccine may be here shortly, but the flu shot is already here. Make sure you get it to potentially avoid or reduce the harmful effects of the flu virus. 

7. Get More Sleep.

When people think about health, they often think of diet and exercise. Sleep is just as important. Your body needs time to rest and repair for the next day and all that comes with it. 

8. Socialize.

Just because you cannot socialize in large groups doesn’t mean you shouldn’t socialize. Create a social bubble or get in on some Zoom meetings. You’ll find yourself enjoying the interaction, even if it is remote. 

9. Invest in a Hobby.

One thing the pandemic has revealed is how much we all need to be self-reliant. We need our friends and family, but when they’re not available, a hobby can be a welcoming substitute. 

10. Take Time to Read.

Especially due to the election, the news media has become toxic to mental health. Instead of spending your time watching TV, pick up a book. The simplicity of reading words on a page is like meditation for the soul. 

Remember that Health Tips for 2021 Are Not a Resolution!

A resolution is the last thing you need to rid yourself of the year 2020. Instead, you need to give yourself a break. Don’t beat yourself up if you don’t accomplish your goals. Restart them.

To learn more about different healthcare topics, follow the Avidity Medical Design Blog.

For more healthcare advice and online healthcare courses, contact Avidity Medical Design Academy.