Vaccine shedding means the release or discharge of any of the vaccine components in or outside of the body.
Image Courtesy: Unsplash | Source: Centers For Disease Control and Prevention
This concept is known as vaccine shedding. It can only occur when a vaccine contains a weakened version of the live virus.
Image Courtesy: Unsplash | Source: Centers For Disease Control and Prevention
The Measles, Mumps and Rubella (MMR) vaccine and the Chickenpox and Shingles vaccine are examples of vaccines that contain live viruses.
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Such vaccines train your body to mount an immune response with a version of the virus that isn't so dangerous.
Image Courtesy: Unsplash | Source: WHO
People injected with the live virus can shed virus via their respiratory secretions when they cough and sneeze.
Image Courtesy: Unsplash | Source: Centers For Disease Control and Prevention
One of the myths related to vaccine was that interacting with COVID vaccinated person can infect you with coronavirus.
Image Courtesy: Unsplash | Source: Centers For Disease Control and Prevention
However, none of the COVID vaccines approved for use anywhere around the world so far use the live virus.
Image Courtesy: Unsplash | Source: WHO
Image Courtesy: Unsplash | Source: WHO
Approved COVID-19 vaccine use other technologies to train our bodies to recognise SARS-CoV-2 and to mount a protective immune response against the virus.
There are three main approaches of making COVID-19 Vaccines, according to World Health Organisation:
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a. Using a whole virus b. Using parts that trigger the immune system c. Using the genetic material for specific proteins - the DNA or RNA
Image Courtesy: Unsplash | Source: WHO
Vaccination protects one from getting seriously ill and dying from COVID-19. Therefore it is recommended that everyone should get vaccinated.
Image Courtesy: Unsplash | Source: WHO
However, even after vaccination, one needs to still follow COVID-19 appropriate behaviour - wear a mask, wash your hands, maintain safe social distance.