Antibody Dependent Enhancement Theory is something floating around out there and I wanted to address what we know about this. This theory suggests that the antibodies we form against the spike protein from vaccination do not actually neutralize the virus, but they actually assist in its transport into cells where it can replicate. And it replicates at a massive rate, making up to 1 trillion copies of itself in a single person.
Although in vitro (in the lab), there is some limited evidence that this may occur, in real life, this is simply not born out. If it were the case, we would be seeing many more vaccinated people getting sicker, being hospitalized and dying. And that is simply NOT happening. In fact, what we are seeing is that this is now the pandemic of the unvaccinated.
Studies looking at billions of people (2.5 billion as of this week) and billions (almost 6 billion) of doses of the vaccine, from many countries, clearly support the fact that vaccination is safe and is the single most important means of controlling the spread of this virus. Can you still get infected? Of course but it is much less likely, you are ill for a much shorter time and you are significantly less likely to need hospitalization or even potentially die. In addition, and more importantly, you are infectious to others for a shorter period of time since the virus is eliminated faster.
The Delta virus is more infectious with more significant disease, however, vaccinated people remain significantly protected. I posted last week about how protection from having had Covid is better than the protection from vaccination but the combination of a shot after having been ill is even better.
We are not animals being studied in a lab (some would argue that this is all one big scientific and social experiment) or cells in a petri dish. What happens in real life is what matters the most. And in real life, it is clear that vaccination, along with proper masking and distancing is key to surviving this disease, since we WILL all get it eventually, and learn to live with it since it will probably NEVER go away, just like Influenza.
We need to worry less about a third shot, and continue to encourage all those over 12 who have not been vaccinated. It IS safe. It IS effective.
It’s not perfect, but it is the most potent tool in our arsenal to protect us.
Remember that it is not “mask or vaccine”. It’s “do it all”.
VACCINATE
MASK
DISTANCE and VENTILATE
HYGIENE
GET HEALTHY. I have a blog coming up on some overlooked but crucial lifestyle activities which boost your immune system, like sleep.
Stay safe and be well.
AC