COVID vaccine safety questions answered

Now that hundreds of millions of vaccine doses are available and more and more people are becoming eligible, questions of Covid vaccine safety have been circulating among those in the holistic health field and in society at large. So I set out to delve into the research and listen to credible opinions comparing the risks of Covid infection to the risks of getting the vaccine. This is not a post about neurodiversity, or about children (yet), since the current Covid vaccines are not approved for children under 16 at this time. But this issue is relevant and important, and affects all of us, including those of us who are caretakers of neurodiverse children. I want to share what I’ve learned in my research on this issue, in the hopes that it will allay some fears.

As I was researching, I came across a lot of theoretically harmful scenarios, most of which did not have science-based evidence for the claims. There is plenty of fear going around on all sides, some of which is quite understandable, and some that is overblown or simply not accurate. Many of us in the holistic health community are naturally skeptical of the medical-industrial complex and big Pharma, often for good reason. I will admit that at first I was skeptical of the vaccines and their rapid development, especially the new mRNA ones. (And I continue to caution against the cumulative effects of the current CDC schedule for childhood vaccines, which contain excessive amounts of toxic chemicals and heavy metals like aluminum that can cause cumulative harm to developing nervous systems.) But I have to say that some of the fears over the Covid vaccines veer into conspiracy territory.

Recently I watched an incredibly helpful webinar by the Institute for Functional Medicine, which was very informative about how mRNA vaccines work and highly reassuring about their safety and efficacy. There has been much focus in the media on deaths and hospitalizations from Covid-19; however the more common scenario is long-lasting complications from infection that apparently can happen to anyone in the population, even those considered young and “healthy.” And we all have to consider the effects of the virus not just on ourselves, but those with whom we come in contact and potentially infect. There is an urgent need to develop immunity to this virus. Not only for our health but for our community. So it is important to sort truth from misinformation while respecting the reasons why people are hesitant. Here, I will address some common claims and questions in order to help you make an informed decision.

Will the mRNA affect my DNA?

No. mRNA is a protein that instructs our cells to make other proteins; in this case, the coronavirus spike protein, in order to induce an immune antibody response. It does not enter the nucleus of cells, where the DNA resides, and cannot change DNA. It does not even enter our tissues; it primarily occupies the lymph cells, which include the white blood cells such as macrophages responsible for mounting an immune response. Once mRNA has done its job, it disintegrates. In fact, animal studies of mRNA vaccines show that the mRNA completely degrades and disappears entirely via normal cellular enzymatic processes in 1-2 days.4

Covid mRNA vaccines are also not “gene therapy,” for the reasons listed above. There was a podcast going around by David Martin on the Weston A. Price website making that claim. It’s worth noting that David Martin is not a doctor or a scientist, he is a businessman. And he gives no evidence for this claim, and even claims that Covid-19 is not caused by a virus and that RT-PCR tests are not actually detecting SARS-CoV-2. This is a bold claim. There is clear evidence that SARS-CoV-2 is the virus that causes Covid-19, and it has indeed been isolated and genetically sequenced.5 And while RT-PCR tests are not perfect and there have been false positives (due to sample contamination) and negatives (due to timing of testing), they are indeed detecting genetic material unique to the SARS-CoV-2 virus.6

Also, none of the Covid vaccines contain the actual SARS-CoV-2 virus, just the spike protein or the mRNA to create the spike protein, which is what the virus uses to enter cells. The body then creates antibodies to that spike protein, preventing infection from the SARS-CoV-2 virus. They are not injecting the genetic material for the virus into our bodies, and you cannot become infected from getting the vaccine.

Do mRNA vaccines contain toxic ingredients?

Both the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines contain the following ingredients: mRNA, lipid nanoparticles including cholesterol and polyethylene glycol (to keep the mRNA intact and help it enter cells), salts including potassium and sodium chloride/phosphate (which are food ingredients), and sucrose (sugar). The only ingredient of concern is the polyethylene glycol, which for those with severe allergies can cause a risk of anaphylactic shock. That’s why they require observation for 30 minutes after the vaccine (it would be an immediate reaction, not delayed) in order to administer an epipen if necessary. This is extremely rare; reported incidents were between 2 per million doses for Moderna and 11 per million for Pfizer.7 There are no heavy metals like aluminum or mercury, and no toxic synthetic chemicals like polysorbate-80. (Johnson & Johnson and AstraZeneca do contain polysorbate-80.) You can find a complete list of ingredients here.

I’m worried about long-term side effects that haven’t shown up yet.

Adverse reactions to vaccines tend to occur shortly after administration, not more than months later. The Covid vaccines have already been in use for months and no new adverse events have been observed, other than more immediate reactions like fever, pain, fatigue, possible blood-clotting with the AstraZeneca and rare allergic reactions to the Moderna/Pfizer vaccines. These last two are of course serious risks; however they are very rare and scientists are working to identify which individuals may be at risk of these effects.

You may have heard claims that COVID-19 mRNA vaccines will become deadly a few months after administration because the antibodies they create will cause worsening immune reactions later on, resulting in damage to the lungs. This claim has been promoted by anti-vaccine activist and osteopath Sherri Tenpenny. The theory is that the antibodies to the SARS-CoV-2 virus will lead to an increased inflammatory immune response to future coronavirus infection, called antibody-dependent enhancement (ADE). This theory was based on research into unsuccessful development of vaccines for earlier coronaviruses, SARS and MERS, and historically there have been vaccines for other viruses that have led to this outcome, including a vaccine for dengue and trials for an RSV vaccine in the 1960’s that was discontinued. Scientists have been aware of this risk of ADE regarding SARS-CoV-2, however, and purposely designed vaccines that would not inhibit an anti-inflammatory response and would instead create neutralizing antibodies in order to avoid what’s called a Th2 immune response that would stimulate inflammatory cytokines.9 That’s why all the vaccines were created to elicit a strong neutralizing antibody response to the spike protein, which effectively neutralizes the virus before it can infect cells. And research into the six vaccine prototypes that were developed into the current vaccines showed that they elicited Th1 but not Th2 responses, with “no observed enhanced clinical disease.“10

Have people died from the vaccines?

At this time, no deaths have been officially causally linked to Covid vaccines. Yes, people have died following a vaccination. However, even with nearly 2,000 deaths after approximately 150 million vaccine doses administered in the US, the mortality rate is less than 0.002%, which is consistent with or even lower than the all-cause mortality rate. Also, most of those deaths were associated with comorbid populations (with other health issues including diabetes, obesity, heart disease and aging populations) and occurred in long-term care facilities.11 In other words, deaths are going to occur for many reasons, and association with the time of vaccine does not imply causation. Deaths will be investigated but until it is proven that death occurred as a result of the vaccine itself, it is not accurate to say that people have died from getting the vaccine. Keep in mind that according to the most recent data from Johns Hopkins University, the US case-fatality rate from Covid is 1.8%. Also, at least 10 percent of Covid cases result in long-term illness, becoming “long-haulers.”12 Additionally, 35% of people with Covid symptoms report not having returned to their pre-Covid state of health 2-3 weeks after testing positive.13

I’ve heard the vaccines prevent illness but not transmission of the virus.

It’s true that the vaccines prevent those who are vaccinated from experiencing severe symptoms of Covid, but they can still carry the infection. However, new evidence is emerging that vaccines significantly lower transmission as well. A very recent Israeli study on the real-world effects of the Pfizer vaccine showed that the vaccine caused a 4-fold decrease in viral load in those who got infected by the virus shortly after getting the vaccine.14 This shows a significant decrease in viral transmission, even during the period of time following vaccination when individuals are still vulnerable to infection.

Who shouldn’t get the vaccine?

If you have a history of severe allergies or a reaction to polypropylene glycol, don’t get the Pfizer or Moderna vaccines; get the Johnson & Johnson instead. If you have an overactive immune system or a severe autoimmune condition, consider getting the J & J vaccine (which elicits a slightly lower immune response) instead of an mRNA, or just get a single dose of the Moderna or Pfizer (especially if you had a strong response to the first dose). New evidence is emerging that people under age 55 develop adequate immunity with just a single dose.15 But know that live Covid 19 infection can also trigger an autoimmune response by cross-reacting with autoantigens, and can elicit a severe inflammatory immune response to the virus.16 (Remember that the vaccines do not contain the SARS-CoV-2 virus itself, which is what elicits this response.) So there are definitely risks to going unprotected if you have an autoimmune condition.

How can I protect myself from side effects of the vaccine?

Reduce. Inflammation. As much as possible. Avoid inflammatory foods like sugar, refined carbs, vegetable oils and fried foods. Boost your immune system with adequate vitamins A, C, D and E, as well as Zinc and B vitamins. Also protect yourself with anti-inflammatory antioxidants such as curcumin (turmeric), resveratrol, quercetin, melatonin, and glutathione (especially if you have autoimmune issues). Reduce stress and be sure to get adequate sleep before vaccination – it really does make a difference. If you have an active infection or illness, postpone your vaccination until you are feeling well. You can find more pre-vaccine recommendations from the IMF here.

And always, please wear a mask. It’s the easiest thing we can do to protect ourselves and others.

References

  1. Smith, T. C., & Reiss, D. R. (2020). Digging the rabbit hole, COVID-19 edition: anti-vaccine themes and the discourse around COVID-19. Microbes and infection, 22(10), 608–610. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.micinf.2020.11.001
  2. Institute for Functional Medicine. (2021) COVID-19 vaccines in phase 3 trials. https://www.ifm.org/news-insights/covid-19-vaccines-in-phase-3-trials/
  3. Levine-Tiefenbrun, M., Yelin, I., Katz, R., Herzel, E., Golan, Z., Schreiber, L., Wolf, T., Nadler, V., Ben-Tov, A., Kuint, J., Gazit, S., Patalon, T., Chodick, G. & Kishony, R. (2021). Decreased SARS-CoV-2 viral load following vaccination. medRxiv 2021.02.06.21251283; doi: https://doi.org/10.1101/2021.02.06.21251283 
  4. Pardi, N., Hogan, M., Porter, F. et al. (2018). mRNA vaccines — a new era in vaccinology. Nat Rev Drug Discov 17, 261–279. https://doi.org/10.1038/nrd.2017.243
  5. Wu, F., Zhao, S., Yu, B., Chen, Y. M., Wang, W., Song, Z. G., Hu, Y., Tao, Z. W., Tian, J. H., Pei, Y. Y., Yuan, M. L., Zhang, Y. L., Dai, F. H., Liu, Y., Wang, Q. M., Zheng, J. J., Xu, L., Holmes, E. C., & Zhang, Y. Z. (2020). A new coronavirus associated with human respiratory disease in China. Nature, 579(7798), 265–269. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41586-020-2008-3
  6. Corman, V. M., Landt, O., Kaiser, M., et. al. (2020). Detection of 2019 novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV) by real-time RT-PCR. Euro surveillance : bulletin Europeen sur les maladies transmissibles = European communicable disease bulletin, 25(3), 2000045. https://doi.org/10.2807/1560-7917.ES.2020.25.3.2000045
  7. Shimabukuro, T. T., Cole, M., & Su, J. R. (2021). Reports of Anaphylaxis After Receipt of mRNA COVID-19 Vaccines in the US-December 14, 2020-January 18, 2021. JAMA, 325(11), 1101–1102. https://doi.org/10.1001/jama.2021.1967
  8. Chalmers, V. (2021). Scientists claim they know how AstraZeneca Covid vaccine can cause rare blood clots. The Sun, 30 Mar 2021. https://www.thesun.co.uk/news/14496759/scientists-claim-how-astrazeneca-covid-vaccine-causes-blood-clots/
  9. Lee, W.S., Wheatley, A.K., Kent, S.J. et al. (2020). Antibody-dependent enhancement and SARS-CoV-2 vaccines and therapies. Nat Microbiol 5, 1185–1191. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41564-020-00789-5
  10. Yu, J., Tostanoski, L., et. al. (2020). DNA vaccine protection against SARS-CoV-2 in macaques. Science, 14 AUG 2020:806-811.
  11. Gee J, Marquez P, Su J, et al. (2021). First month of COVID-19 vaccine safety monitoring — United States, December 14, 2020–January 13, 2021. MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep 2021;70:283–288. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.15585/mmwr.mm7008e3external icon
  12. Greenhalgh T, Knight M, A’Court C, Buxton M, & Husain L. (2020). Management of post-acute covid-19 in primary care BMJ 2020;370:m3026  https://doi.org/10.1136/bmj.m3026
  13. Tenforde, M. W., Kim, S. S., Lindsell, C. J., et. al. (2020). Symptom Duration and Risk Factors for Delayed Return to Usual Health Among Outpatients with COVID-19 in a Multistate Health Care Systems Network – United States, March-June 2020. MMWR. Morbidity and mortality weekly report, 69(30), 993–998. https://doi.org/10.15585/mmwr.mm6930e1
  14. Levine-Tiefenbrun, M., Yelin, I., Katz, R., et. al. (2021). Decreased SARS-CoV-2 viral load following vaccination (preprint). medRxiv 2021.02.06.21251283; doi:https://doi.org/10.1101/2021.02.06.21251283
  15. Zwickey, H. (2021). What practitioners need to know about the Covid-19 vaccine: questions and answers about vaccines with Heather Zwickey, PhD. Natural Medicine Journal Jan 2021; 13:1 https://www.naturalmedicinejournal.com/journal/2021-01/what-practitioners-need-know-about-covid-19-vaccine
  16. Liu, Y., Sawalha, A. H., & Lu, Q. (2021). COVID-19 and autoimmune diseases. Current opinion in rheumatology, 33(2), 155–162. https://doi.org/10.1097/BOR.0000000000000776