Call
+918447748545

Published on: Jul 17, 2020
2 minute read
By: Dr Rajan Choudhary

MRNA Vaccine Against SARS CoV2

An mRNA Vaccine against SARS CoV2

We have previously discussed vaccines against SARS-CoV-2, the virus responsible for COVID-19. On the 14th of July, a preliminary study was published in the New England Journal of Medicine, an internationally reputable medical journal. This study looks at mRNA vaccines in Phase 1 human clinical trials, a first for the virus. Here we will discuss what this means and the results of the study.

mRNA vaccine

Vaccines target the immune system’s memory by presenting them with pieces of these infective diseases. The small amounts do not cause any infective symptoms, but if the person is infected later in life their body will mount a quicker response and prevent them from falling ill. These vaccines can contain broken up parts of the organisms, “dead” organisms or “live” versions that have been severely weakened so they cannot cause any harm.

In 2018 a new type of vaccine was described. Instead of using pre-made protein markers that identify infectious organisms, mRNA vaccines contain genetic material with instructions to produce these markers. Once injected, the person’s cells use these instructions to produce copies of these protein markers. These markers are displayed on the surface of the cell, which in turn is recognized by the immune system, initiating an immune response and producing protective antibodies.

BENEFITS

A major advantage of RNA vaccines is the ease by which they can be made in a laboratory from a DNA template. During a pandemic, this would result in a rapid response and vaccine against a new disease. Conventional vaccines require the use of chicken eggs or cells to produce the vaccines, which can be expensive and time-consuming. These vaccines can be delivered via injections into the skin, blood, muscle, or organs, needle-free into the skin, or via nasal spray. Because these vaccines are so new, we still do not know the best way to deliver it.

Because these vaccines are not made with parts of infective organisms or from live organisms, they are not infectious and will not cause harm through a strong immune response to the vaccine itself, or by causing the disease they aim to vaccinate against. They also appear to be very efficient at generating a reliable immune response to produce antibodies and are well tolerated with few side effects.

NEEDS IMPROVEMENT

Because these types of vaccines are so new there is still a lot we do not understand about them. They may cause unintended effects that we have not yet encountered in human clinical studies. These vaccines also need to be frozen or refrigerated, and so would not be suitable for countries with limited or no refrigeration facilities.

COVID

The SARS-CoV-2 mRNA vaccine codes for one of the virus’ surface spike proteins, responsible for recognizing target cells and fusing the virus into the cell for entry and infection. It was previously recognized as a target for the SARS and MERS viruses.

45 participants received 2 intramuscular injections 28 days apart. None of the participants had any serious side effects after the first injection, or any side effects significant enough to stop the trial. Many had minor to moderate side effects after their second injection (such as fatigue, chills, headache, myalgia, and pain at the injection site), and half the participants taking high dose vaccines had febrile side effects. Overall the side effects were rated as acceptable.

Prior to the vaccine trials, none of the participants had any antibodies against COVID, or any capacity to stop a COIVD infection. After the injections, all participants had noticeable increases in antibodies produced, measurable in their blood. After 43 days, the participant's blood had enough antibodies to reduce infection by SARS-CoV-2 by over 80%.

What is the takeaway? The vaccine is capable of producing an adequate response to protect the vaccine recipient without eliciting any major side effects. These results will be used in phase 2 clinical trials (enrolment began in May) and a phase 3 trial in July 2020. Essentially this means further human trials to further look for side effects in a larger number of volunteers with a more diverse health profile.

This represents an interesting development in producing a rapid vaccine against a new virus responsible for a world-changing pandemic. This new type of vaccine may be the future of vaccines for a broader range of viruses, bacteria, and even cancers.

Read Blog

Pale Skin Symptoms: Causes, Health Conditions, and When to Seek Medical Care

Skin colour provides important clues about internal health. When the skin becomes noticeably lighter than usual, it may indicate an underlying medical condition. Pale skin symptoms, also referred to as pallor, are commonly associated with reduced blood flow, low hemoglobin levels or impaired oxygen delivery to tissues.

In India, pale skin is frequently linked to anemia, nutritional deficiencies and chronic illnesses, making early recognition essential.

What Is Pale Skin?

Pale skin refers to:

lighter-than-normal skin tone
reduced redness
pale appearance of lips, gums or nail beds

It can affect the entire body or specific areas such as the face or hands.

Common Pale Skin Symptoms

Typical signs include:

pale face or complexion
pale lips or tongue
light-colored gums
pale nail beds
cold hands and feet
fatigue and weakness

These symptoms often occur together.

Most Common Causes of Pale Skin

Anemia

Anemia occurs when hemoglobin levels are low.

This reduces oxygen delivery to tissues, causing:

pale skin
fatigue
breathlessness
dizziness

NFHS-5 reports anemia affects a large proportion of Indian adults, especially women.

Iron Deficiency

Iron deficiency is the leading cause of anemia.

Contributing factors include:

poor dietary intake
blood loss
absorption problems

ICMR identifies iron deficiency as a major public health issue.

Poor Blood Circulation

Reduced circulation causes:

less blood reaching the skin
visible pallor

Conditions such as heart disease or shock impair circulation.

Acute Blood Loss

Sudden blood loss from:

injury
gastrointestinal bleeding
heavy menstrual bleeding

can cause rapid pallor and weakness.

Chronic Diseases

Chronic illnesses such as:

kidney disease
liver disease
cancer

often cause anemia and pallor over time.

Infections and Inflammation

Severe infections cause:

blood vessel constriction
redistribution of blood flow

This leads to pale or clammy skin.

Nutritional Deficiencies

Deficiencies of:

vitamin B12
folate

affect red blood cell production and cause pallor.

Hormonal Imbalance

Conditions like hypothyroidism reduce metabolic activity, causing:

pale, dry skin
fatigue

Thyroid disorders are common but underdiagnosed.

Genetic Conditions

Inherited disorders such as thalassemia affect hemoglobin production, leading to chronic pallor.

Pale Skin in Children and Older Adults

Children:

may develop pallor due to iron deficiency or infections

Older adults:

often develop pallor due to chronic disease or nutritional deficiency

Both groups need careful evaluation.

Warning Signs That Need Immediate Medical Attention

Seek urgent care if pale skin is associated with:

sudden weakness
chest pain
breathlessness
fainting
rapid heartbeat

These may indicate serious medical emergencies.

How Pale Skin Affects Daily Life

Persistent pallor often causes:

low energy
reduced physical endurance
difficulty concentrating

Quality of life may decline without treatment.

Diagnostic Evaluation

Doctors may recommend:

complete blood count
iron studies
vitamin B12 and folate levels
kidney and liver function tests

Identifying the cause is critical for treatment.

Role of Preventive Health Checkups

Preventive screening helps detect:

early anemia
nutritional deficiencies
chronic disease

Early treatment prevents complications.

Management and Treatment Options

Treatment depends on cause and may include:

iron or vitamin supplementation
treatment of underlying disease
dietary correction
medical therapy for chronic conditions

Self-treatment without diagnosis should be avoided.

Lifestyle Measures to Prevent Pallor

Helpful strategies include:

balanced diet rich in iron and vitamins
adequate hydration
regular health monitoring
treating infections early

Lifestyle changes support long-term health.

Importance of Early Detection

Ignoring pale skin delays diagnosis of:

anemia
internal bleeding
chronic illness

Early recognition improves outcomes.

Conclusion

Pale skin symptoms are more than a cosmetic concern. They often signal anemia, poor circulation, nutritional deficiencies or underlying medical conditions. While temporary pallor may occur due to minor causes, persistent or sudden pale skin requires medical evaluation. Early diagnosis, preventive health screening and appropriate treatment can restore normal skin tone, improve energy levels and protect long-term health.

References

Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) – Anemia and Nutritional Deficiency Reports
National Family Health Survey (NFHS-5) – Anemia and Adult Health Data
World Health Organization (WHO) – Anemia and Circulatory Health
Lancet – Pallor, Anemia and Chronic Disease Research
NITI Aayog – Preventive Healthcare and Early Symptom Detection

Request A Callback

+91

By using this website/app, I confirm that I am at least 18 years old and consent to the processing of my personal data in accordance with the Terms of Service, Privacy Policy, and Declaration.