I have a friend who is anti mRNA vaccines as they are so new.

Are they?

  • alvvayson@lemmy.world
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    11 months ago

    So how many years does it take to no longer be new?

    The Polio vaccines are also new compared to the Smallpox vaccines.

    But that doesn’t mean we don’t have sufficient data on their safety and effectiveness. And we have comparable levels of data on the mRNA covid vaccines.

      • alvvayson@lemmy.world
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        11 months ago

        It’s basically the flu vaccine in my opinion.

        People at risk stand to beneffit most, but it doesn’t need to be mandated .

      • SandLight@lemmy.world
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        11 months ago

        Herd immunity only works if the herd is immune. If only a portion of the herd is immune, the rest of the herd will spread disease.

        It requires a critical mass to work, and it protects those who can not get the vaccine for medical reasons (like allergic reactions, etc.)

        • Nollij@sopuli.xyz
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          11 months ago

          It also only works if the herd remains immune. We are now seeing a return of diseases that had previously been eliminated (not eradicated), due to a decline in vaccinations. Examples include measles and whooping cough.

      • kellyaster@kbin.social
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        11 months ago

        So would you say that vaccines are still needed for all, or just for people like me who are immunosuppressed?

        Vaccines are needed for all, as in everyone who is eligible for inoculation. Yes, if I am vaccinated, my body will be much better equipped to successfully fight off the virus and keep me out of the hospital (and the morgue)…but in doing so, I also contribute to the overall herd immunity, which protects people who have pre-existing conditions, cannot be safely inoculated, or have immune system issues. If I don’t get vaccinated, I don’t just put myself at risk; if I get covid (which isn’t always obvious because it doesn’t always present physical symptoms, aka I could be a carrier), I also risk infecting everyone I come in contact with, which endangers people like you.