For scientists, research is always exciting. Scientists get unmeasurable joy if the outcome matches with the hypothesis of the research project.
In my younger days, while I was a project director of a pharmaceutical raw material manufacturing company, I couldn’t sleep until I saw a crystal forming from the final step of a chemical reaction processes.
Obviously, successful laboratory scale production is an absolute joy and pride. But upgrading to pilot scale and then to large manufacturing scale (industrial scale) is not an easy process.
The mRNA vaccines already played a central role in preventing COVID-19. Demand for this vaccine quickly grew both in the USA and around the world. Moderna and Pfizer-BioNTech produced nearly identical mRNA vaccines, but Pfizer is big and well-known with large production facilities.
However, according to The Washington Post, their first attempt to produce industrial-scale quantities of their vaccine in September 2020 in a Kalamazoo, Michigan facility was a failure. Failures can happen in any industrial production.
Finally, it worked, and that’s how Pfizer was able to produce three billion doses in 2021.
The vital question: Does this new type of vaccine, mRNA or other traditional vaccine work against coronavirus?
The researchers can figure it out in many ways.
One simple way is to test whether this vaccine can generate antibodies in our body to fight coronavirus. Once I had two Moderna shots, I went to see my doctor for an annual checkup. In my blood work, I requested my doctor add one more test for antibodies.
Yes, it was positive.
The UK is doing vaccine challenge trials, which is a more direct method.
On the other hand, it has been found that vaccination is contributing to reducing death and severe illness.
Another post analysis of vaccination in the USA done by the CDC indicated that COVID-19 infections dropped where people were vaccinated and rose where they are not.
In addition, case counts dropped quickly in highly vaccinated states as reported by The Washington Post.
In Mississippi, county-wise data indicated Madison has the highest vaccination rate at 43 percent. Oktibbeha had 37 percent and Lowndes had only 30 percent. Very recent cases show Madison had a 0.02 percent infection rate, Oktibbeha has 0.2 percent and Lowndes 0.08 percent.
On the other hand, Pearl River County has the lowest vaccination rate at 21 percent, and its cases were also relatively higher 0.06 percent.
How fortunate we are. Out of mRNA vaccination there is not a single death reported, not even very serious injuries. It is now well-proven that vaccines work in preventing COVID-19 infection. It is free of charge and now even different incentives are given. My eye doctor said, “Where are the rewards for those who have taken vaccines voluntarily?”
Jiben Roy, a native of Bangladesh, teaches chemistry and pharmaceutical sciences at Mississippi University for Women. His email address is [email protected].
You can help your community
Quality, in-depth journalism is essential to a healthy community. The Dispatch brings you the most complete reporting and insightful commentary in the Golden Triangle, but we need your help to continue our efforts. In the past week, our reporters have posted 41 articles to cdispatch.com. Please consider subscribing to our website for only $2.30 per week to help support local journalism and our community.