General Discussion
In reply to the discussion: Some healthcare workers refuse to take COVID-19 vaccine, even with priority access [View all]ProfessorGAC
(76,761 posts)The mechanism of the vaccine involves both generating antibodies and capping the reactive site on the virus. (The proposed mechanism of the antibodies is the same.
It caps the ACE attack spot so the virus can no longer replicate.
The vaccine will slow the spread as the viral load of those infected, but vaccinated, reduces dramatically, in some cases approaching zero.
Hence, those mildly infected would exhale a lower load.
As likely 75+% of us have been at least very mildly exposed, but many too low to generate antibodies, it suggests that for the greater population, a minimum viral load is required for infection.
If vaccinated people shed substantially less virus, that reduced viral load would result in a lower rate of transmission.
As to still taking precautions, I buy that. But, vaccines do help reduce spread. Nowhere near enough people vaccinated yet to matter, but we'll get there.