Tag: vaccines

#ChemVsCOVID: How did past research help COVID-19 vaccine efforts?

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On this day in 2020, the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine entered phase 1 trials, making it the first COVID vaccine to do so. This came less than a week after the World Health Organisation declared COVID-19 a global pandemic. How was it possible for this to happen so quickly? The third part of the #ChemVsCOVID series, produced with the Royal Society of Chemistry, gives a brief overview of the prior work and what the phase 1 trials looked at.

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How does the Oxford & AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine work? A guide to viral vector vaccines

Infographic on viral vector vaccines. The SARS-CoV-2 virus contains a gene which codes for the virus spike protein. In viral vector vaccines, this gene is added to the genetic material of another virus, making it a viral vector. This vector is altered so it can't cause disease. Once the viral vector is inside our cells it produces the virus spike protein, triggering an immune response. These vaccines can be produced relatively quickly. The genetic instructions for making the spike protein are broken down in our cells after use. Viral vector vaccines cause a strong immune response which can mean minor side effects are more common. Different viruses can be used as viral vectors; the AstraZeneca vaccine uses a chimp adenovirus, while some others use a human adenovirus. Some people may have immunity to human adenoviruses, potentially reducing vaccine effectiveness.
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Relatively hot on the heels of the Pfizer & BioNTech RNA vaccine, today the UK has approved the Oxford University & AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine. The Oxford vaccine is a viral vector vaccine, which works slightly differently to the RNA vaccines. This graphic, made with the Royal Society of Chemistry, looks at how they work and highlights other vaccines of this type in use or development for COVID-19.

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Medicinal Chemistry - Common Components of Vaccines

A Summary of Common Vaccine Components

Medicinal Chemistry - Common Components of Vaccines Summary
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The recent measles outbreak in the US has once again provoked discussion over vaccinations, and why some parents choose not to vaccinate their children despite the benefits of doing so. Whilst not the only factor, part of the blame lies with misinformation about the chemical composition of vaccines and the effects these compounds can have. This graphic summarises some of the key components in vaccines, as well as clarifying their purpose and safety in the concentrations present.

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