Thread by @yoongkhean

I still see ppl claiming having vaccine side effects or reactions is a sign of the vaccine ‘working’. This is false, please do not cause unnecessary worry to those who did not experience any side effects.

Let me try & explain. /continue

The immune system respond to the vaccine (or any foreign pathogen) by 2 ways.

1. Innate immunity: this is the initial response where all the white cells come out & play, trying to clear the body from the foreign particles. The physical manifestations r fever, body ache etc.

The innate immunity response is not a measure of how hard the body is working or building antibodies. And can be addicted by various factors: age, gender, co-morbids, stress, lack of sleep, hormones. List goes on.

2. Adaptive immunity: this is the period when the other part of then immunity, T & B cells learn about the foreign particles & start to prepare antibodies (now & for future reactions).

This immune response has no physical manifestations.

Only way to check if the body has developed protection against the foreign particle, SARS-CoV-2 virus in this case, is to check antibody titres.

That is why in the Pfizer P3 trials, only ~50% of vaccinated developed s/effects but protection after checking antibody is ~95%.

*can be affected 🙄

Think of it this way: if u go out for a run, u tripped over a tree root & hurt your knee.

Innate immunity is when u put a bandage on it. U also feel pain when u wash it with antiseptic lotion.

Next time when u run at the same place, your brain remembered that root & u simply hop over it. This is adaptive immunity. U don’t feel anything but avoided the fall.

Ok maybe not best analogy 😂 but remember side effects r not an indication of whether vaccine is working!