Vaccines and the Immunology of COVID-19
The world is basically at a stand-still awaiting a COVID-19 vaccine to allow life to go back to normal and restart global economies. The unprecedented accelerated vaccine development timeline, conflicting headlines about when a vaccine will be available, and political interference in the process certainly makes many wary of receiving a new vaccine. There has been no other time in history when understanding vaccines and immunology was more important than the present so that citizens can make decisions about their health. This session will include a general discussion of COVID-19 vaccines, the types of vaccines, and the clinical trial process. In addition, the immune mechanisms (antibodies, B-cells, T-cells) that make vaccines work and the cytokine storm concept that leads to severe COVID-19 disease will be presented.
The views presented are the views of the hosts and guests, not the views or policies of the University of Notre Dame. Information provided is not intended to serve as, nor should be interpreted as, specific medical advice or a substitute for the advice of an individual’s personal health practitioner.
Introduction to SARS-CoV-2 Immunity
Presented by Mary Ann McDowell
This video discusses the timing of immunity during SARS-CoV-2 infections and explains the concepts of innate and adaptive immunity. The different cells and proteins involved in immune responses are introduced.
Introduction to COVID-19 Vaccines
Presented by Mary Ann McDowell
This video introduces the different types of COVID-19 vaccines currently in Phase 3 clinical trials and the basic concepts of how each type of vaccine works.
Two COVID-19 Treatments
Presented by Mary Ann McDowell
This video explains how two of the COVID-19 treatments that President Trump received work to block SARS-CoV-2 infection.
View the Event
Presented by Heidi Beidinger-Burnett and Mary Ann McDowell
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Featured Speakers:
- Heidi Beidinger-Burnett, Director, Eck Institute for Global Health Masters Program; Associate Professor of the Practice, Department of Biological Sciences, University of Notre Dame; President of the St. Joseph County Board of Health
- Mary Ann McDowell, PhD, Associate Professor of Biological Sciences and Member of the Eck Institute for Global Health, University of Notre Dame
- Brian Baker, Rev. John A. Zahm Professor and Department Chair, Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Notre Dame
- Jeffery Schorey, George B. Craig Jr. Professor, Department of Biological Sciences, University of Notre Dame
Additional Resources
Presented by Mary Ann McDowell
- Short video showing how Gilead’s drug Velkury, also known as remdesivir, works.
- Charting a COVID-19 Immune Response New York Times article by Katherine J. Wu and Jonathan Corum that gives an overview of the timing of immune responses in mild and severe COVID-19 cases.
- Charting a Coronavirus Infection New York Times article by Katherine J. Wu and Jonathan Corum providing an overview of the timing of a coronavirus infection, where during the infection certain diagnostic tests work, and how masks and social distancing curb infectiousness.
- New York Times Coronavirus Vaccine Tracker Website that explains the types of coronavirus vaccines and how they work, with information about what stage each vaccine is in the development process.
- New York Times Coronavirus Drug and Treatment Tracker Website that explains the types of coronavirus treatments and how they work. Each drug is classified from “widely used” to “promising” to “pseudoscience to fraud.”