Are The Covid Vaccines "Live" Or "Dead"?

[EdmundD]

I ask because I was recently contacted by my GP surgery to attend an appointment for a shingles vaccination as I am now 70 years of age. I was told that the shingles vaccine is a "live" vaccine.

When I queried whether as a cancer patient this was OK they asked me to check with the cancer team at my hospital. The response from the hospital pharmacist is that a "live" vaccine should not be administered until at least 12 months after the end of any chemotherapy treatment. Which means March 2020 in my case.

I wondered whether this would also be the case with the Covid vaccines. I haven't found anything which tells me whether they are "live" or "dead".

[Sqad]

Its "dead"......in simple terms,
.

[pixie374]

They are dead.

[bednobs]

I think it's unlikely you'd be called for the vaccine before march anyway, so might not be a problem :)

[TheChair]

The Pfizer one is neither. It's an mRNA vaccine. It doesn't depend on the actual COVID19 virus at all.

[Sqad]

the Chair.....i did add " in simple terms."

[woofgang]

its my understanding that the active ingredient has never been alive...

[pixie374]

Can something be active, if it is never alive?

[woofgang]

yes pixie....look on OTC medications. They will list "active ingredients" ie the stuff that is in the medication that does something....kills the pain, stops the runs and so on and then "other ingredients" like coatings and flavourings.

[pixie374]

Google doesn't agree with that, woof. I'm not an expert.... clearly, though.

[Peter Pedant]

dead
read them again
it clearly says no whole virus particles are present in the vaccine

leaving aside whether one can have a whole virus particle and STILL be dead ( yes in short )

[Peter Pedant]

// The Pfizer one is neither. It's an mRNA vaccine. It doesn't depend on the actual COVID19 virus at all.//

far too much detail - dead

"neither alive nor dead" means nothing to an average ABer - it is like saying - "Big Brother is double plus ungood" (*)

(*) In newspeak all the words made sense but Big Bruvva cd never be in a context with ungood. advanced linguistics for 1948

[pixie374]

I think everyone understands that, pp... my question was that if something is active, is it "alive". Google says yes, others say no.

[woofgang]

google also says "having a chemical or biological effect on something"

adjective: active
1.
engaging or ready to engage in physically energetic pursuits.
"although he was seventy he was still robust and active"
Similar:
mobile
energetic
agile
sporty
nimble
vigorous
vital
dynamic
sprightly
spry
lively
animated
bouncy
bubbly
perky
frisky
zestful
spirited
busy
bustling
occupied
involved
on the go
on the move
full of get-up-and-go
full of vim and vigour
full of beans
sparky
zippy
peppy
bright-eyed and bushy-tailed
go-go
Opposite:
listless
moving or tending to move about vigorously or frequently.
"I couldn't feel the baby moving, and it was normally very active"
characterized by busy or lively activity.
"they enjoyed an active social life"
(of a person's mind or imagination) alert and lively.
"Caroline nodded slowly, her active mind already racing ahead"
2.
pursuing an occupation or activity at a particular place or in a particular way.
"the artist was active in the 1920s"
participating or engaged in a particular sphere or activity in a positive or spontaneous rather than a passive way.
"she was an active member of the society"
Similar:
hard-working
busy
industrious
diligent
tireless
contributing
enterprising
influential
occupied
engaged
involved
enthusiastic
keen
committed
devoted
determined
zealous
militant
radical
go-getting
go-ahead
Opposite:
passive
indifferent
3.
(of a thing) working; operative.
"the old watermill was active until 1960"
Similar:
operative
working
functioning
functional
operating
operational
in action
in operation
in force
live
effective
effectual
powerful
potent
non-passive
non-inert
up and running
Opposite:
inactive
inert
(of an electric circuit) capable of modifying its state or characteristics automatically in response to input or feedback.
"the receiver is continuously active whenever the vehicle ignition is switched on"
(of a volcano) that is erupting or has erupted in historical times.
"the volcano became active on 28 March last year"
(of a disease) in which the symptoms are manifest; not in remission or latent.
"active colitis"
having a chemical or biological effect on something.
"active ingredients"

[woofgang]

sorry about the long scroll down