Human adenovirus vector vaccine is used to prevent coronavirus disease (COVID-19).
How the human adenovirus vector vaccine works: The SARS-CoV-2 virus, which causes COVID-19, uses proteins known as spike proteins to enter the cells in our body. The human adenovirus vector vaccine contains two different adenovirus vectors (rAd26 and rAd5), which are administered separately in the first and second doses, respectively. These vectors carry the gene for producing the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein but have been modified so that they cannot cause the disease. Once vaccinated, the body generates antibodies against the coronavirus, helping to fight the virus if exposed. This results in a reduced risk of developing the illness and its associated complications. Using different vectors enhances the immune response even more than using the same vector twice and may provide longer-lasting protection against the virus upon exposure.
Common side effects of the human adenovirus vector vaccine include injection site pain, tiredness, and fever.