Chapter no. 7: How the different types of vaccines work
According to the CDC, right now, we have three main types of vaccines, namely mRNA vaccines, protein subunit vaccines, and vector vaccines. Let’s have a look at each one.
mRNA vaccines—such as those from Pfizer and Moderna—pack material from the virus that gives our cells ‘information’ about the development of a harmless protein that is unique to the virus. After the body’s cells make enough copies of the protein, they attack and destroy the vaccine’s genetic material.
Protein subunit vaccines contain harmless pieces (proteins) of the virus, not the entire germ. After vaccination, the person’s immune system recognizes that those proteins don’t belong in there and begins producing T-lymphocytes and antibodies.
27 thoughts on “What Really Happens to Our Bodies After Getting a COVID-19 Vaccine?”
I am a 91 year old male, have had both shots, and have had no after effects. I am with kaiser, and am fortunate for their providing me with excellent care. Charles Brinker.
I have had both of the shots with the last one being given 4 weeks ago. My arm was sore for about two weeks and that was the only thing I noticed. I had the Moderna vaccine and so did my husband. We are glad we are finished and hope everyone gets both of their vaccine shots. I am 75 and my husband is 76. A piece of cake.
This is not a joke! I am 72 y/o male and have had both Pfizer doses. The most notable side effect is I wake up every morning like I have taken Pfizer’s other medication known as the “little blue pill”, if you catch my drift. Again, this is not a joke!
What happens if someone would get their first shot of Pfizer and their second shot of Moderna?
The second Moderna shot, right after I had chills, fever, cold sweats, aches, headache and my balance was greatly affected,I kept falling into the wall. When I started feeling better, out of the blue I got nausea and threw up, then balance was bad. Headaches most days for two weeks, took lots of motion sickness pills. Arm felt hot and very heavy. Put ice on the arm and it helped. Arm felt heavy for awhile, still get some nausea, and balance issues.
Hi Peggy!
My name is Nancy and I’m wondering how long it has been for you since getting the shot and are you still having balance issues? Your story unfortunately isn’t the first I heard of it.
Thanks and hoping all is well.
-Nancy M.
Jeff , I have received both shots,(pfizer), I had no reaction other than a little bit of a sore arm for a short while.
I have received both shots with only a little bit of a sore arm. I had NO reactions to it. Glad I received it.
I have gotten both shots of the Moderna Vaccine and have had absolutely no side effects. I am glad I was able to be vaccinated at my current age of 75. My wife received her first shot of the Pfizer Vaccine also with no side effect and will be getting her second shot on April 6th, 2021.
Had both shots Pfizer a month ago , first shot experienced a sore arm for one day only.
I am fully vaccinated 54 years old woman. I had Pfizer’s vaccine. After the first shot I had migraine headache the next day only. After wards, I was feeling normal. After the second shot, I did not have any side effect whatsoever. The only common side effect with both shots was light soreness at the injection site while touching.
Is the first shot the same as the second one?
Minimal effects after my first shot of pfizer. After the second shot, the morning after I experienced achy muscles in legs, back and arms, back of neck, etc. I felt tired and sleepy, so slept most of the day. No fever or cough or headache, stuffy sinuses, etc. After the rest, I felt much better at the end of the day, and the next day felt normal. I am a 68 year old male. My 97 year old mother took two shots and felt no effects at all.
So thankful to receive both shots from Pfizer. I am 79 yo, diabetic, overweight, am a heart patient, and have high blood pressure. Everyone, please do not hesitate if offered any of the vaccines.
I have had both shots. I didn’t even know I had received the first. The second was different. The night I got it, I started feeling tired, and generally not feeling well. knew I had something going on. Like the Flu, but not as severe. 36 hours later I was back to feeling like myself.
I had my second shot 2 days ago of the Phizer. My arm was a little sore for about 24 hours. I feel a little fatigued. So far so good!
I have had both Pfizer shots and am very happy that I did. I hope all the people that are eligible will get it to help put this pandemic under control. Had a slight headache for about an hour after second shot and that was all (if you call it a side effect) I had. I am 80 years old and do not regret getting it. I would do it again if I had too. Your information was very helpful that you printed.
I am 80yrs old with diabetes and hypertension..i am fully vaccinated have received my 2 shots of Pfizer with no ill effect except from mild soreness of my arm the one i got the injection
My husband and I had both of the Pfizer vaccines. We had no noticeable side effects from the 1st one. A couple of days after the 2nd one, we were so tired and low energy, we could barely do anything for being totally exhausted. At first we could not understand why this was happening to us then, we finally realized that it was a side effect from the vaccine. That lasted for about a week. I am 80 yrs. old and my husband is 81.
I’m a 67 year old male, in Central California. I got the Moderna vaccine. The first shot, I got a slightly sore arm (About the same as an annual Flu shot.) and the 2nd dose, I got the slightly sore arm and got VERY sleepy, for about a day and half… That was it… End of story. No sweat.
-Micheal Millsaps-
love that you explained everything in a non medical manner so the average person will understand the facts on the vaccine
I got the pfizer’s vaccine, no complication after the first one, but the second shot, I got chills, fever and horrible headache. The next day I felt better but very tired. Still, so glad I got it.
I’m 63. I had both doses of the Maderna. No reactions to either of the doses. I’m totally immune now and quite relieved as this virus would kill me for sure. Get the vaccine!
Noel, Got both moderna shots with little side effects I am 74.
I had Moderna and have had both shots as has my husband. He was so fatigued for about a month afterward (and he is usually a bundle of energy) and I was very ill. I got a major rash on my arm that looked just like when I had shingles–all the way to my elbow, headache and general misery that lated for about three weeks then the rash finally disappeared (very blistery and painful). Then I learned that the Israeli’s had documented several cases of shingles near the injection site and wonder. My son also had a similar rash just on the left side (characteristic of shingles), extremely sick and Dr. absolutely forbid him from taking the second dose. My daughter in law has an extremely rare and often fatal heart attack (artery tear) and the Dr. observed he had rarely seen this but has had himself several in that last short period of time. All the young women had had the pfizer vaccine and the Dr. thought more research should be done. It is know that there are quite a few teens and young adults currently having heart problems post vaccine. Glad for my immunity right now but will NOT take a shot again and neither will my hubby or son. Happy for those of you that can take it.
I got the pfizer’s vaccine back in March, I was afraid at first to get it and was thinking I should wait until later in the year to do so, however, my entire family got the vaccine and they were fine, with little or no side effects so I decided to go and get it also. I had no side effects from the first or second dose, anyone out there who have not received a Covid19 vaccine please do not wait, go and get it ASAP.
I got the first Moderna vaccine shot on January 28th and the second Moderna vaccine shot on March 1st. I didn’t have any side effects from either shots (and I still wear a mask).