The document summarizes how mRNA COVID-19 vaccines like Pfizer and Moderna work, as well as the Johnson & Johnson viral vector vaccine. It also discusses spike proteins, which allow viruses to infect cells, and how vaccines teach the body to recognize these proteins to trigger an immune response. The mRNA vaccines deliver genetic material that instructs cells to make the spike protein to trigger this immune response. The Johnson & Johnson vaccine uses a modified virus to give similar instructions. Booster doses may be needed if protection decreases over time. The goal of all vaccines is to provide protection against disease without risking illness.

1. HOW HIV AND COVID
19 VACCINES WORK
WALTER WASWA,BSC.MEDICAL LAB.SC.

2. HIV VIRUS

3. COVID 19 VIRUS

4. What is a spike protein
Spike protein is a protein that forms a large structure known as a spike or peplomer projecting
from the surface of an enveloped virus
the presence of spike proteins that allow these viruses to penetrate host cells and cause
infection

6. Pfizer-BioNTech or Moderna And HIV
(mRNA)
Messenger RNA (mRNA) vaccines teach our cells how to make a protein that will trigger an
immune response inside our bodies.
The specific protein synthesized by the cells are spike proteins
First, mRNA vaccines are given in the upper arm muscle.
The mRNA will enter the muscle cells and instruct the cells’ machinery to produce a harmless
piece of what is called the spike protein.
The spike protein is found on the surface of the virus that causes COVID-19. After the protein
piece is made, our cells break down the mRNA and remove it.

7. Cont…
Next, our cells display the spike protein piece on their surface. Our immune system recognizes that
the protein doesn’t belong there.
This triggers our immune system to produce antibodies and activate other immune cells to fight off
what it thinks is an infection.
This is what your body might do to fight off the infection if you got sick with COVID-19 and probably
HIV
At the end of the process, our bodies have learned how to protect against future infection from the
virus that causes COVID-19 and probably HIV
The benefit of COVID-19 mRNA vaccines, like all vaccines, is that those vaccinated gain this
protection without ever having to risk the potentially serious consequences of getting sick with
COVID-19 and probably HIV.
Any temporary discomfort experienced after getting the vaccine is a natural part of the process and
an indication that the vaccine is working.

8. Johnson & Johnson (J&J)/Janssen COVID-
19 Vaccine
contains a piece of a modified virus that is not the virus that causes COVID-19
This modified virus is called the vector virus. The vector virus cannot reproduce itself, so it
cannot cause COVID-19.
This vector virus gives instructions to cells in the body to create an immune response. This
response helps protect you from getting sick with COVID-19 in the future.
After the body produces an immune response, it gets rid of all of the vaccine ingredients just as
it would discard any information that cells no longer need. This process is a part of normal body
functioning.

9. Booster vaccine
booster doses may only be needed if there is evidence of insufficient protection against these
disease outcomes over time.

10. References
Theoharides TC, Conti P. Be aware of SARS-CoV-2 spike protein: There is more than meets the
eye. J Biol Regul Homeost Agents. 2021 May-Jun;35(3):833-838. doi:
10.23812/THEO_EDIT_3_21. PMID: 34100279.
https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/vaccines/different-vaccines/mrna.html

11. THE END
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