S2, E2-  A Deep Dive Into COVID-19 Vaccines

Vaccinations have proven to reduce the severity of symptoms, hospitalizations, and death for people who contract COVID. But for some, the debate surrounding the vaccines has kept them from getting a booster, let alone the initial round of vaccinations. In this episode, we explore how the vaccines were developed so quickly, the differences between them, and how they work.

"They're helping us every day. They're reducing hospitalizations and mortality and don't kid yourself: the chances of you being hospitalized or dying from COVID is much greater if you are not vaccinated. The data is very clear on that, and it has held up throughout this last twelve months," says Dr. Robert Popovian, Chief Science Policy Officer at the Global Healthy Living Foundation.

Among the highlights in this episode:

1:21: Listener review

1:54: What is the difference between early-use authorization and FDA approval in the U.S. market when it comes to vaccines?

3:02: Discussion about the Novavax vaccine

3:41: An explanation on how these vaccines for COVID-19 work

4:35: "The vaccine delivers a tiny piece of genetic code from the SARS-COVID2 virus to the host cells in the body, essentially giving those cells blueprints for making copies of the spike proteins," says Dr. Robert Popovian

4:49: An explanation on how the genetic code from the SARS-COVID2 virus works within the vaccines

5:18: How is this COVID-19 vaccine different than other vaccines on the market for the virus? 

6:04: What is a protein adjuvant?

6:50: How can we put people's minds at ease that these are vaccines people can trust?

8:25: "Without a doubt, these vaccines were approved in a record time, but there was also very unusual circumstances where this country was going through. And the world was going through," says Dr. Robert Popovian

9:28: Looking at how many people were behind developing these vaccines, and what tools were used to develop them

10:25: Robert shares his final thoughts

Contact our hosts:

Dr. Robert Popovian, Chief Science Policy Officer at GHLF: rpopovian@ghlf.org

Conner Mertens, Patient Advocate and Community Outreach Manager at GHLF: cmertens@ghlf.org

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