THE FDA APPROVES THE PFIZER VACCINE
Image by Matthew Waring
On August 23, 2021, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine—the first COVID-19 vaccine to be approved by the FDA. This is a momentous milestone for the pandemic and post-pandemic future. Full approval of the FDA occurs when there is enough data showing vaccines are safe and effective for the general public.
History was also made by the development of this vaccine. The Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine is an mRNA vaccine. Messenger RNA is the “genetic material that our cells read to make proteins.” Therefore, mRNA vaccines are developed without injecting any live versions of the SARS-CoV-2 virus (COVID-19). Rather, they are developed to stimulate protein production.
All viruses have a layer of protein surrounding them. COVID-19 has a spike protein that allows the virus to enter human bodies. The system operates like a lock and key: the spike protein opens the “lock” of the ACE2 receptor, allowing COVID-19 to enter. Human immune systems need spike protein antibodies to fight off viral infection, and that is exactly what mRNA vaccines do. The Pfizer vaccine injects mRNA into the body, which produces the spike protein for our protection. Antibodies are then created for the spike protein. Our immune system continues to produce these antibodies against the spike protein, giving us immunological memory. If COVID-19 were to enter one’s body after the vaccine, the immune system could attack it much faster due to the constant production of spike protein antibodies.
In other words, the vaccine is a great and effective source of protection. FDA approval is difficult for vaccines, especially in such a short amount of time, but such a crucial landmark should be celebrated. Americans, however, are still considerably confused and hesitant to get the vaccine. One of the most common qualms I hear is that people do not want to inject a vaccine into their body without knowing what is in it. Luckily, the American government and Pfizer are transparent with the ingredients list.
The FDA website provides a complete list of ingredients, which is as follows: mRNA, lipids, potassium chloride, monobasic potassium phosphate, sodium chloride, dibasic sodium phosphate dihydrate, and sucrose. Certainly, this is a dense list of ingredients, but there is a simple breakdown and explanation: mRNA is the genetic material in our cells. Lipids include organic compounds that are insoluble, such as fats or oils. The specific ingredients are all variations of salt components. Sucrose is naturally occurring sugar. Sucrose is in many foods, as well as the other vaccine listed ingredients. Every element in the Pfizer vaccine is not only found in the foods we eat, but they all naturally occur in our bodies.
However, the FDA’s transparency can be impossible to persuade the growing anti-vax community across America. Anti-vaxxers can be defined as any individual who is opposed to vaccines and vaccination. There has been a presence of anti-vaxxers for decades now, but the COVID-19 pandemic has greatly increased their numbers. One study estimated 22% of Americans identified as anti-vaxxers in 2020.
There is a wide spectrum of self-identified anti-vaxxers. Some individuals stated they would be more likely to get the vaccine with FDA approval. Others anti-vaxxers are determined to dismantle any argument against getting the vaccine. Conspiracy theorists tend to exist on the extreme end of the anti-vaxxer spectrum. These individuals perpetuate dangerous lies about the vaccine and pandemic as a whole. Most recently, a new conspiracy theory is circulating among this population that the FDA lied in order to trick the public into taking the shot. No amount of evidence presented can persuade these individuals into believing the vaccine is safe. Especially now, vaccination has become a political issue, and anti-vaxxers are not looking for the left to change their minds. Liberals were optimistic to assume FDA approval would sway anti-vaxxers in the right direction—a little too optimistic.
Anti-vaxxers may have the loudest voices in the media currently, but their sentiments should not be indulged. This vaccine is the most direct, clear, effective method out of the pandemic. Vaccines are not government conspiracies to control American citizens. In addition, there is not a live virus injected into one’s body with the vaccine. Therefore, someone cannot get COVID-19 from the vaccine at all. Vaccines are not ploys to control peoples’ bodies, and vaccine mandates cannot be equated to government legislation meant to control women’s bodies. Vaccines do not make individuals infertile, they are not microchips, and they do not cause long-term side effects. The science is clear: vaccines are safe, especially the Pfizer vaccine.
The United States has a long history of prioritizing individualism over collectivism, which is one of the many flaws of this country. Individualism is vital for advocacy and protecting one’s freedom, but it is poison for the greater good. This pandemic is a perfect example. Some individuals would rather put their opinions and personal beliefs in front of protecting others. But for this pandemic to end, we need to come together as a community. Immunocompromised individuals, children, people with allergies, pregnant people, and individuals with religious and/or medical reasons are counting on the rest of their community to protect them. It is up to the rest of us to do so.
Sources to read about this issue further:
By Anjali Chanda
Vanderbilt student, writer, and lover of starry nights.