Frequent COVID-19 Boosters Could Damage Protective T- Cells And Reduce Immunity
In a recent article released by Bloomberg titled “Frequent Boosters Spur Warning on Immune Response”, the EMA warned that repeat boosters every 4 months could fatigue, or exhaust the T-cell response. That means a possible decrease in protection against COVID-19 from repeat vaccine challenges to the immune system.
Start here. Immune system fatigue is caused by repeat exposure over short periods of time to the same antigen. The problem, spike protein exposure from vaccination elicits a strong immune response and if this happens often enough, it can substantially reduce CD4+, and CD8+ t- cells . Less t- cells mean less ability for the body to fight COVID-19 and other diseases like cancer etc. Ironically, that means, if someone receives a booster, antibodies may rise, but important t- cells can reduce leaving the individual more prone to SARS-CoV-2 infection in the future.
So what are CD4+, and CD8+ t- cells and how do they protect from COVID-19? First, CD4+ cells enhance the immune response and also signal CD8+ cells after spike protein from the vaccine has been identified. Next, CD8+ cells attempt to directly neutralize the vaccinal spike proteins they encounter. Usually, they eliminate their target in 3 ways. 1.) directly using cytokines like TNF-a, INF-y- which are anti-tumor, and antimicrobial proteins, 2.) by spraying cytotoxic granules on their. target 3.) by utilizing Fas/FasL. All and all, CD4+ cells are a surveillance system, while CD8+ cells directly attack the antigen by itself or with the help of CD4+. It is important to note, COVID specific CD4+, and CD8+ t- cells are produced after an exposure to vaccinal spike protein.
So then, how does the body produce CD4+, and CD8+ t- cells after vaccination?- PART 1. Generally speaking, when the body has located a spike protein, a cascade of events begin. First, spike protein finds the ACE2 receptor on a human cell. Next the ACE2 receptor holds the receptor binding domain (RBD) of that spike protein. Soon after, with the help of TMPRSS2 protease, the head of the SP is cleaved or cut off, leaving only a truncated section. As this happens, the previously mentioned ACE2 receptor is down regulated causing inflammation and damage to the cell it is attached to. At this point, the cell is compromised and will soon be detected by another immune cell (SEE 📸FIG. 1 BELOW).
📸FIG. 1
PART 2. Finally, a macrophage identifies the affected cell with spike protein attached (previous image) and consumes it. Next, that macrophage presents the spike protein it just consumed to a naive T cell that will then use the spike protein to become either a CD8+, or CD4+ cell who’s specific job is to hunt down spike protein. After all is said and done, the body produces an abundance of CD4+, and CD8+ t- cells to protect against the current, but mainly next exposure of spike protein or virus. (SEE 📸FIG. 2 BELOW).
📸FIG. 2
Here’s the problem. The immune system is already fatigued from this process after the first dose. Then comes a second dose 3 weeks later and the cycle restarts. Later down the line a booster dose is given to elicit yet another enormous immune response. Now, Fauci is hinting at a second booster, totaling 4 shots for all Americans. Likewise, in Israel they’ve given 1 booster on top of the 2 primary doses and plan to add a 4th. Unfortunately ,when doing this, important CD4+, and CD8+ t- cells can be reduced if the immune system is continually challenged by a vaccine. That is unfavorable because not only do those t- cells protect the body from COVID-19, they ward off cancer, hepatitis, and many other viral diseases constantly. Again, it is true there are antibodies earned from vaccination. However, long lasting and robust immunity isn’t simply from antibodies because they wane over time, it is from t- cells, and other memory cells.
What can be done to fix this problem? It is true frequently boosting people can degrade their immune system. However, there are some interventions that could help avert risk, while maximizing reward.
Longer interval between J&J and booster. Up to 3 months in between
Avoid more than 1 booster in a yearly period
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