Note:
COVID-19 refers to “coronavirus disease 2019”
SARS-CoV-2 refers to “severe acute respiratory syndrome - coronavirus 2,” the virus that causes COVID-19
A common argument of people against the COVID-19 vaccines is that these vaccines don’t work because vaccinated people still get infected, they can still develop symptoms, and can still infect others. The observation is true -- vaccinated people still do get infected, they still do develop symptoms, and they still do infect others. The argument however, is wrong. It doesn’t mean the COVID-19 vaccines don’t work. They’re simply designed to do something else.
Immunoglobulins and antibodies
Immunoglobulin A (IgA) is an antibody that plays a major immunity function in the mucus membranes, including those of the nose and the throat (nasopharynx).
On the other hand, Immunoglobulin G (IgG) is an antibody that is present in our bloodstream. COVID-19 vaccines stimulate the production of a lot of IgG but not so much of IgA.
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The nose and throat are the main entry points of SARS-CoV-2 (the virus causing COVID-19-19) and other respiratory viruses enter the body. They get attacked by IgA but if there’s enough of them, they eventually get to invade the cells in the mucus membranes and replicate. The host (you) may then develop colds and throat irritation. As their numbers increase, they gradually travel down to the lungs. This is when fever usually develops. As they continue to invade other organs, more serious symptoms develop.
Vaccinated vs Unvaccinated
Vaccinated or not, COVID-19 will have these effects on most individuals. Since existing COVID-19 vaccines are not designed to stimulate IgA production, the protection of vaccinated and unvaccinated individuals in the nose and throat areas are basically the same. This is why even vaccinated individuals get infected and test positive. This is also why they can transmit the virus for a limited time. The COVID-19 vaccines were simply not made to prevent contact with the COVID-19 virus.
When the viruses enter the lungs and invade other organs, that’s when the difference between the vaccinated and the unvaccinated becomes clear.
The unvaccinated will not have enough IgG to effectively and quickly fight off SARS-CoV-2. Symptoms can get worse. A lot may need critical care. And some won’t make it.
On the other hand, a vaccinated individual will have a lot of IgG waiting in the bloodstream when the SARS-CoV-2 spreads from the lungs and starts to invade other organs. The viruses don’t get to the other organs, they don’t get to replicate further, they don’t get to cause more injuries, and the vaccinated individual quickly recovers. A lot don’t even develop symptoms in the first place.
So do COVID-19 vaccines work?
If a vaccinated person gets infected with COVID-19, it doesn’t mean the vaccines don’t work. Preventing infection is simply not the intended effect of the COVID-19 vaccines but the prevention of severe symptoms and death. ALL COVID-19 vaccines given emergency use approval are effective in preventing severe symptoms and death.
Saying COVID-19 vaccines don’t work because they don’t prevent infection is like saying umbrellas don’t work because they don’t prevent rains.
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