COVID-19 Vaccination & Duchenne –
What You Need To Know
We all have spent the last several months doing our best to keep ourselves and our families safe, while adjusting to this new virtual world. PPMD recognizes this has been nothing short of challenging, and we remain committed to providing support, community engagement, and the most accurate and up-to-date information possible during a time of unknowns. This extends to new learnings of COVID-19 vaccines, which PPMD believes to be the best form of protection against the virus, and we hope is a potential solution to alleviate this pandemic.
Please continue to submit questions to ellen@parentprojectmd.org, so we can continue to adapt our resources to your concerns.
Webinar Recording: COVID-19 VACCINATION & DUCHENNE – WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW
On December 11, 2020, PPMD invited Dr. Tim Cripe, who brings expertise on vaccine development and clinical trials, and Dr. Tim Franson, who offers insight into the FDA and regulatory pathways, to guide us through currently available data on vaccine mechanisms of action, development, and regulatory pathways for approval and distribution by joining us for a webinar to discuss what we know.
Vaccines Currently Available for COVID-19
| Pfizer | Moderna | |
|---|---|---|
| Vaccine Platform | mRNA encased in lipid nanoparticles (fat bubbles) to keep it from degrading | mRNA encased in lipid nanoparticles (fat bubbles) to keep it from degrading |
| Age of Inclusion | 16 years + | 18 years + |
| Accessibility | Storage between -94 degrees Fahrenheit (institutional research freezers), stable x5 days after thaw | -4 degrees Fahrenheit (regular freezer), stable x30 days after thaw and at room temperature for 12 hours |
| Dosing Schedule | 2 injections given 3 weeks apart | 2 injections given 28 days apart |
| Efficacy | 95% effective | 95% effective |
| Possible Side Effects | Pain at injection site, fatigue, mild fever, headache, muscle pain, joint pain, fever; younger adults have reported more side effects than older adults | Pain at injection site, fatigue, mild fever, headache, muscle pain, joint pain, fever; younger adults have reported more side effects than older adults |
| Need for future booster shots | Unknown | Unknown |
* Table reflects COVID-19 vaccines that have received emergency use authorization from the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) as of January 15, 2021.
HOW DO THE NEW MRNA-BASED COVID-19 VACCINES WORK?
The new mRNA-based COVID-19 vaccines currently authorized in the US are a little different from conventional vaccines. The vaccines developed by Pfizer and Moderna both include genetic material consisting of messenger RNA (mRNA) particles that encode for the spike protein from the COVID-19 vaccine encased in a lipid nanoparticle (tiny fat bubble) that allows the mRNA to remain intact and keep the fragile mRNA from being degraded.
Injecting the mRNA instructs your body’s cells to make a piece of the spike protein from the virus. Each time the body’s cells replicate this tiny piece of the spike protein, it is alerted that there is now a foreign protein in the body and is prompted to create antigens to the protein.
By developing its own antibodies to the COVID-19 spike protein, the body mounts an immune response to that protein, protecting the body against the invader.
Learn more >COVID-19 Sample Vaccination Letter
As states continue to move through their phase 1 COVID-19 vaccination distribution protocols, PPMD wants to make sure you are equipped with resources to advocate for priority access. For this reason, we have developed a sample letter to provide to your primary care provider or local health administration in support of you or your child ages 16 or older to receive the COVID-19 vaccine at the earliest opportunity. For more information about the COVID-19 vaccine and Duchenne, please visit our COVID-19 hub.
Download Sample Letter >
