Meet the Other Phone. Protection built in.

Meet the Other Phone.
Protection built in.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Covid

Mumsnet doesn't verify the qualifications of users. If you have medical concerns, please consult a healthcare professional.

Just had second dose of AZ and got a shock to read

57 replies

Flissitytricity · 02/05/2021 19:31

Have had both doses with no side effects so that is good but with my 2nd dose I was given some information sheets and this was included in the section "Contents of the pack and other information"

Recombinant, replication-deficient chimpanzee adenovirus vector encoding the SARS CoV 2 Spike (S) glycoprotein. Produced in genetically modified human embryonic kidney (HEK) 293 cells. This product contains genetically modified organisms (GMOs).

I saw the word "chimpanzee" and would like anyone who can possibly explain to me, is this simply research experiments on chimpanzees or something entirely different?

OP posts:
Bagelsandbrie · 02/05/2021 19:33

Not sure why you’re shocked, it’s been widely explained in the news since before the launch of the vaccine. If you google it you’ll find loads of explanations.

ineedaholidaynow · 02/05/2021 19:35

I don’t understand the science but aren’t they using a virus that usually causes the common cold in chimps

DoYouRememberTheInnMiranda · 02/05/2021 19:35

I think it's a virus that chimpanzees usually get, that has been modified to look to your body like Corona, so you can fight it off and learn the skills to fight off actual Corona. So I don't think there's actually chimpanzee bits in it.

Bagelsandbrie · 02/05/2021 19:35

@DoYouRememberTheInnMiranda

I think it's a virus that chimpanzees usually get, that has been modified to look to your body like Corona, so you can fight it off and learn the skills to fight off actual Corona. So I don't think there's actually chimpanzee bits in it.
Yep exactly this.
picturesandpickles · 02/05/2021 19:36

This might help to explain? fullfact.org/online/AstraZeneca-vaccine-foetal-cells-chimpanzee-virus/

Veryverycalmnow · 02/05/2021 19:37

I've not heard that yet OP- trying not to watch the news as it was making me a bit depressed, so I've been under a rock too! I've also had both of my AZ jabs now. Going back under my rock now. Bye!

Thedogshow · 02/05/2021 19:39

The viral vector used, the adenovirus (cold type virus), is a virus obtained from chimpanzees. It has been altered so that it cannot replicate/reproduce. It has had the covid viral proteins added to it so that it causes an immune response to the coronavirus proteins.
It doesn’t mean it is tested on chimpanzees, but I assume that at some point the adenovirus vector used just have been obtained from chimpanzees but then produced on a large scale in laboratories. I am not sure why they use this not a human virus, but I assume it’s less likely to cause illness than a human virus.

Thedogshow · 02/05/2021 19:40

Although caveat that by saying, assuming what is written in the OP is correct, that is what it translates as

eurochick · 02/05/2021 19:46

This is not news. Russia was calling it our chimp vaccine while it was still in research!

Jujean · 02/05/2021 19:56

The reason why a chimp adenovirus is used as a vector (rather than a human virus) is to ensure that people do not already have antibodies against the adenovirus in question.

Tambora · 02/05/2021 20:02

Er... do people still not know where the word 'vaccine' comes from?

TooManyPlatesInMotion · 02/05/2021 20:06

They use a virus found in chimps in the jab for the purposes of creating an immune resoonse. I think. I'm no scientist but I am pretty confident that they didn't inject a bit of chimp into me when I had my AZ jab yesterday!

RainOnMe3 · 02/05/2021 20:09

@Veryverycalmnow

I've not heard that yet OP- trying not to watch the news as it was making me a bit depressed, so I've been under a rock too! I've also had both of my AZ jabs now. Going back under my rock now. Bye!

I'm the same

NeverDropYourMoonCup · 02/05/2021 20:11

Meh. Modified Chimp virus, biologics cultured in Hamster cells. Tested on animals of many kinds - mice, rats, rabbits, primates - it's all pretty normal for medicine.

Stoptalkingtome · 02/05/2021 20:11

I've never been able to do the monkey bars, so this is a shame tbh.

oldegg123 · 02/05/2021 20:16

"chimpanzee adenovirus vector" just means it's an adenovirus that commonly infects chimps

An adenovirus that infects humans wouldn't be used as it's likely people would have already caught it and therefore have antibodies/immunity against it, which would cause issues with the vaccination process :)

HelpMeh · 02/05/2021 20:17

I'd be raising my eyebrows more at the "genetically modified human embryonic kidney" bit, personally! I'm half vaccinated so my planet of the apes style transformation has no doubt already begun.

I'm vaccinated. That's all I need to know.

Flissitytricity · 02/05/2021 20:17

@Tambora

Er... well we do now! No need for the attitude. It was just the word Chimpanzee which surprised me.

OP posts:
Bellyups · 02/05/2021 20:19

@HelpMeh I read somewhere that the genetic modified human embryonic kidney was from an aborted foetus

Bellyups · 02/05/2021 20:20

FYI, I’m vaccinated with AZ.

LockdownCheeseToastie · 02/05/2021 20:22

Reasons why school science lessons are important. And maths lessons. The number of people who don’t understand basic statistics or basic scientific concepts is scary.

TooManyPlatesInMotion · 02/05/2021 20:22

@helpmeh GrinGrin re planet of the apes style transformation. Mine is half complete top!

TooManyPlatesInMotion · 02/05/2021 20:23

too

Cookerhood · 02/05/2021 20:23

Yes from the 1970s. Many vaccines are grown in such systems. The cells are a very long way from the original foetal cells. The Catholic Church have given it the OK.

Motorina · 02/05/2021 20:24

It's a chimpanzee cold virus modified to have coronavirus spike proteins stuck all over it. I believe they extract it from chimp poo.

Aren't you glad you're not the Phd student who has that job?