🕷️ Crawler Inspector

URL Lookup

Direct Parameter Lookup

Raw Queries and Responses

1. Shard Calculation

Query:

Response:

Calculated Shard: 121 (from laksa142)

2. Crawled Status Check

Query:

curl -X POST \
  'http://laksa121.int.ahrefs:8124/' \
  -H 'Content-Type: text/plain' \
  -H 'X-ClickHouse-Database: crawler3' \
  -H 'Authorization: Basic YXBpOg==' \
  -d 'SELECT getAhrefsURLFromUnparsed(src_unparsed) AS found_url, ifNull(toUnixTimestamp(download_stamp), 0) AS crawl_time, ifNull(toUnixTimestamp(props_url_first_seen), 0) AS first_indexed_time, download_http_code AS http_code, src_unparsed AS src_unparsed, src_root_hash AS src_root_hash, history_drop_reason AS history_drop_reason, meta_title AS meta_title, meta_descriptions AS meta_descriptions, attrs_boilerpipe_text AS attrs_boilerpipe_text, attrs_markdown AS attrs_markdown, attrs_readable_markdown AS attrs_readable_markdown, meta_canonical AS meta_canonical FROM crawler3.page_info_local FINAL PREWHERE (src_root_hash, src_unparsed) IN ((getAhrefsRootHashFromUnparsed(getAhrefsUnparsedNoserviceFromURL(\'https://www.nebraskamed.com/COVID/where-mrna-vaccines-and-spike-proteins-go\')), getAhrefsUnparsedNoserviceFromURL(\'https://www.nebraskamed.com/COVID/where-mrna-vaccines-and-spike-proteins-go\'))) FORMAT JSONEachRow'

Response:

{"found_url":"https:\/\/www.nebraskamed.com\/COVID\/where-mrna-vaccines-and-spike-proteins-go","crawl_time":1776127720,"first_indexed_time":1625303581,"http_code":200,"src_unparsed":"com,nebraskamed!www,\/COVID\/where-mrna-vaccines-and-spike-proteins-go s443","src_root_hash":"12295970854620659321","history_drop_reason":null,"meta_title":"How long do mRNA and spike proteins last in the body? | Nebraska Medicine Omaha, NE","meta_descriptions":["Here we break down the data to show where mRNA vaccines (and spike proteins) travel in the body. There is no evidence that any mRNA or protein accumulates in any organ."],"attrs_boilerpipe_text":"Vaccines generally work by introducing a piece of a virus or bacteria into your body so you can develop long-lasting immunity to the pathogen. While the piece introduced by the vaccine rapidly fades away, your body's immune system remembers what it saw. When it encounters the virus or bacteria in the real world it mounts a strong immune response preventing or decreasing the severity of infection.  \nSome have expressed concern that the spike protein or other parts of the mRNA vaccines build up in the body, particularly in the ovaries or the brain. Here we break down the data to show where mRNA vaccines (and spike proteins) travel in the body. There is no evidence that any mRNA or protein accumulates in any organ.\nWhy do they use spike proteins?\nFor COVID-19 vaccines, all of the approved vaccines so far used the spike protein. The spike protein is located on the outside of a coronavirus and is how SARS-CoV-2 (the coronavirus) enters human cells. Its location on the outside of the virus makes it so the immune system can recognize it easily.\nThe spike protein is unique to SARS-CoV-2 – it doesn't look like other proteins your body makes. So antibodies created against the spike protein won't harm your body, they will only target coronavirus. \nHow long mRNA lasts in the body\nThe Pfizer and Moderna vaccines work by introducing mRNA (messenger RNA) into your muscle cells. The cells make copies of the spike protein and the mRNA is quickly degraded (within a few days). The cell breaks the mRNA up into small harmless pieces. mRNA is very fragile; that's one reason why mRNA vaccines must be so carefully preserved at very low temperatures.\nHow long do spike proteins last in the body?\nThe Infectious Disease Society of America (IDSA) estimates that the spike proteins that were generated by COVID-19 vaccines\nlast up to a few weeks\n, like other proteins made by the body. The immune system quickly identifies, attacks and destroys the spike proteins because it recognizes them as not part of you. This \"learning the enemy\" process is how the immune system figures out how to defeat the real coronavirus. It remembers what it saw and when you are exposed to coronavirus in the future it can rapidly mount an effective immune response.\nThe Novavax vaccine introduces the actual protein into your body to produce an immune response similar to many other vaccines currently in use. \nWhere does the vaccine go?\nHere's a\npeer-reviewed study\nthat shows where intramuscular vaccines (which all three of the COVID-19 vaccines are) travel in macaques (a type of monkey). Vaccines mostly remain near the site of injection (the arm muscle) and local lymph nodes. \nThis makes sense: Lymph nodes produce white blood cells and antibodies to protect us from disease. A key part of the lymphatic system, lymph nodes also clean up fluids and remove waste materials. Finding pieces of spike protein in the lymph nodes is completely normal, because lymph nodes act as the trash removal service for the body. That means the vaccine did its job (made spike proteins, which caused the creation of antibodies) and will be cleared from the body.\nAnother peer-reviewed study\ntested exactly where an mRNA vaccine went in mice. Most of the mRNA vaccine stayed in the injection site muscle – where you get the shot. Look at Table 1. A lot of mRNA vaccine was found in local lymph nodes, which peaked about eight hours after the shot was given. A much smaller amount of mRNA vaccine went to farther away lymph nodes.\nCan the COVID-19 vaccines change your DNA?\nNo. COVID-19 vaccines cannot change your DNA. \nDNA is stored in the nucleus of your cells. mRNA vaccines do their work outside of the nucleus (in a space called the cytoplasm) and have not been observed to interact with the nucleus. The cell breaks down and gets rid of the mRNA soon after it's finished using the instructions.","attrs_markdown":"[Skip to main content](https:\/\/www.nebraskamed.com\/COVID\/where-mrna-vaccines-and-spike-proteins-go#main-content)\n\n- [NEBRASKA MEDICINE](https:\/\/www.nebraskamed.com\/)\n- [UNMC](http:\/\/www.unmc.edu\/)\n\n- [Find Care Now](https:\/\/www.nebraskamed.com\/care)\n- [One Chart](https:\/\/www.onechartpatient.com\/mychart\/)\n- [Pay Bill](https:\/\/www.nebraskamed.com\/patients\/billing\/pay-online)\n- [For Providers](https:\/\/www.nebraskamed.com\/for-providers)\n- [Careers](https:\/\/www.nebraskamed.com\/careers)\n- [Help](https:\/\/www.nebraskamed.com\/help)\n\n[Home](https:\/\/www.nebraskamed.com\/)\n\n- [Find a Doctor](https:\/\/www.nebraskamed.com\/doctors)\n- [Care and Services](https:\/\/www.nebraskamed.com\/treatments)\n  ## Care and Services\n  Comprehensive care for all your health needs.\n  \n  [View All Services](https:\/\/www.nebraskamed.com\/treatments)\n  \n  ## Featured Services\n  - [Primary Care](https:\/\/www.nebraskamed.com\/primary-care)\n  - [Heart and Vascular](https:\/\/www.nebraskamed.com\/heart)\n  - [Cancer Care](https:\/\/www.nebraskamed.com\/cancer)\n  - [Women's Health](https:\/\/www.nebraskamed.com\/womens-health)\n  - [Orthopaedics](https:\/\/www.nebraskamed.com\/orthopaedics)\n  - [Neurological Care](https:\/\/www.nebraskamed.com\/neurological-care)\n  - [Ear Nose Throat](https:\/\/www.nebraskamed.com\/ear-nose-throat)\n  - [Behavioral Health](https:\/\/www.nebraskamed.com\/behavioral-health)\n  - [Dermatology](https:\/\/www.nebraskamed.com\/dermatology)\n  - [Eye Care](https:\/\/www.nebraskamed.com\/eye-care)\n  - [Gastrointestinal Care](https:\/\/www.nebraskamed.com\/gastrointestinal-care)\n  - [Transplant](https:\/\/www.nebraskamed.com\/transplant)\n  \n  ## Convenient Care\n  - [Emergency Care](https:\/\/www.nebraskamed.com\/search\/locations?location_category%5B0%5D=Emergency%20Departments)\n  - [Immediate Care Options](https:\/\/www.nebraskamed.com\/immediate-care\/care-options)\n  - [Pharmacy](https:\/\/www.nebraskamed.com\/pharmacy)\n  - [Schedule an Appointment](https:\/\/www.nebraskamed.com\/care)\n  \n  ## Digital Services\n  - [One Chart \\| Patient Portal](https:\/\/www.onechartpatient.com\/mychart\/Authentication\/Login)\n  - [Nebraska Medicine Mobile App](https:\/\/www.nebraskamed.com\/patients\/one-chart\/app)\n  - [Virtual Care (Telehealth)](https:\/\/www.nebraskamed.com\/telehealth)\n- [Locations](https:\/\/www.nebraskamed.com\/locations)\n  ## Our Locations\n  Find care close to you at our locations throughout the region.\n  \n  [Find a Location](https:\/\/www.nebraskamed.com\/locations)\n  \n  ## Locations by Category\n  - [Emergency Departments](https:\/\/www.nebraskamed.com\/search\/locations?location_category%5B0%5D=Emergency%20Departments)\n  - [Immediate Care Clinics](https:\/\/www.nebraskamed.com\/search\/locations?location_category%5B0%5D=Immediate%20Care%20Clinics)\n  - [Primary Care Clinics](https:\/\/www.nebraskamed.com\/search\/locations?location_category%5B0%5D=Primary%20Care%20Clinics)\n  - [Specialty Clinics](https:\/\/www.nebraskamed.com\/search\/locations?location_category%5B0%5D=Specialty%20Clinics)\n  - [Hospitals and Medical Centers](https:\/\/www.nebraskamed.com\/search\/locations?location_category%5B0%5D=Hospitals%20\/%20Medical%20Centers)\n  - [Surgery Centers](https:\/\/www.nebraskamed.com\/search\/locations?location_category%5B0%5D=Surgery%20Centers)\n  - [Radiology](https:\/\/www.nebraskamed.com\/search\/locations?location_category%5B0%5D=Radiology)\n  - [Labs](https:\/\/www.nebraskamed.com\/search\/locations?location_category%5B0%5D=Labs)\n  - [Pharmacies](https:\/\/www.nebraskamed.com\/search\/locations?service%5B0%5D=Pharmacy)\n  \n  ## Popular Locations\n  - [Nebraska Medical Center](https:\/\/www.nebraskamed.com\/nebraska-medical-center)\n  - [Bellevue Medical Center](https:\/\/www.nebraskamed.com\/bellevue)\n  - [Village Pointe Health Center](https:\/\/www.nebraskamed.com\/village-pointe)\n- [Patients and Visitors](https:\/\/www.nebraskamed.com\/patients)\n\n- [Find Care Now](https:\/\/www.nebraskamed.com\/care)\n- [One Chart](https:\/\/www.onechartpatient.com\/mychart\/)\n- [Pay Bill](https:\/\/www.nebraskamed.com\/patients\/billing\/pay-online)\n- [For Providers](https:\/\/www.nebraskamed.com\/for-providers)\n- [Careers](https:\/\/www.nebraskamed.com\/careers)\n- [Help](https:\/\/www.nebraskamed.com\/help)\n\n[UNMC](https:\/\/www.unmc.edu\/)\n\n[Search]()\n\n[Advancing Health Homepage](https:\/\/www.nebraskamed.com\/health)\n\nGet health information you can use, fact-checked by Nebraska Medicine experts.\n\n[View more blogs related to Conditions and Services](https:\/\/www.nebraskamed.com\/health\/search\/conditions-and-services)   [View more blogs related to Body Systems](https:\/\/www.nebraskamed.com\/health\/search\/body-systems)   [View more blogs related to COVID-19](https:\/\/www.nebraskamed.com\/health\/search\/covid-19)\n\n# How long do mRNA and spike proteins last in the body?\n![COVID-19 illustration](https:\/\/www.nebraskamed.com\/sites\/default\/files\/images\/covid19\/spikeprotein_opengraph.jpg)\n\n*November 1, 2022*\n\nVaccines generally work by introducing a piece of a virus or bacteria into your body so you can develop long-lasting immunity to the pathogen. While the piece introduced by the vaccine rapidly fades away, your body's immune system remembers what it saw. When it encounters the virus or bacteria in the real world it mounts a strong immune response preventing or decreasing the severity of infection.\n\nSome have expressed concern that the spike protein or other parts of the mRNA vaccines build up in the body, particularly in the ovaries or the brain. Here we break down the data to show where mRNA vaccines (and spike proteins) travel in the body. There is no evidence that any mRNA or protein accumulates in any organ.\n\n### Why do they use spike proteins?\nFor COVID-19 vaccines, all of the approved vaccines so far used the spike protein. The spike protein is located on the outside of a coronavirus and is how SARS-CoV-2 (the coronavirus) enters human cells. Its location on the outside of the virus makes it so the immune system can recognize it easily.\n\nThe spike protein is unique to SARS-CoV-2 – it doesn't look like other proteins your body makes. So antibodies created against the spike protein won't harm your body, they will only target coronavirus.\n\n### How long mRNA lasts in the body\nThe Pfizer and Moderna vaccines work by introducing mRNA (messenger RNA) into your muscle cells. The cells make copies of the spike protein and the mRNA is quickly degraded (within a few days). The cell breaks the mRNA up into small harmless pieces. mRNA is very fragile; that's one reason why mRNA vaccines must be so carefully preserved at very low temperatures.\n\n### How long do spike proteins last in the body?\nThe Infectious Disease Society of America (IDSA) estimates that the spike proteins that were generated by COVID-19 vaccines [last up to a few weeks](https:\/\/www.idsociety.org\/covid-19-real-time-learning-network\/), like other proteins made by the body. The immune system quickly identifies, attacks and destroys the spike proteins because it recognizes them as not part of you. This \"learning the enemy\" process is how the immune system figures out how to defeat the real coronavirus. It remembers what it saw and when you are exposed to coronavirus in the future it can rapidly mount an effective immune response.\n\nThe Novavax vaccine introduces the actual protein into your body to produce an immune response similar to many other vaccines currently in use.\n\n### Where does the vaccine go?\nHere's a [peer-reviewed study](https:\/\/www.sciencedirect.com\/science\/article\/pii\/S2211124720302928) that shows where intramuscular vaccines (which all three of the COVID-19 vaccines are) travel in macaques (a type of monkey). Vaccines mostly remain near the site of injection (the arm muscle) and local lymph nodes.\n\nThis makes sense: Lymph nodes produce white blood cells and antibodies to protect us from disease. A key part of the lymphatic system, lymph nodes also clean up fluids and remove waste materials. Finding pieces of spike protein in the lymph nodes is completely normal, because lymph nodes act as the trash removal service for the body. That means the vaccine did its job (made spike proteins, which caused the creation of antibodies) and will be cleared from the body.\n\n[Another peer-reviewed study](https:\/\/www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/pmc\/articles\/PMC5475249\/) tested exactly where an mRNA vaccine went in mice. Most of the mRNA vaccine stayed in the injection site muscle – where you get the shot. Look at Table 1. A lot of mRNA vaccine was found in local lymph nodes, which peaked about eight hours after the shot was given. A much smaller amount of mRNA vaccine went to farther away lymph nodes.\n\n### Can the COVID-19 vaccines change your DNA?\nNo. COVID-19 vaccines cannot change your DNA.\n\nDNA is stored in the nucleus of your cells. mRNA vaccines do their work outside of the nucleus (in a space called the cytoplasm) and have not been observed to interact with the nucleus. The cell breaks down and gets rid of the mRNA soon after it's finished using the instructions.\n\n## Related articles\n[Questions and Answers](https:\/\/www.nebraskamed.com\/health\/search\/q-and-a)\n\n[![Medical illustration of DNA strand](https:\/\/www.nebraskamed.com\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/adv_health_teaser\/public\/images\/covid19\/covidvaccine_dna_opengraph.jpg.webp?itok=g__YzRK9)](https:\/\/www.nebraskamed.com\/COVID\/you-asked-we-answered-can-mrna-vaccines-alter-human-dna)\n\nDecember 21, 2020\n\n[You asked, we answered: Can mRNA vaccines alter human DNA?](https:\/\/www.nebraskamed.com\/COVID\/you-asked-we-answered-can-mrna-vaccines-alter-human-dna)\n\n[Questions and Answers](https:\/\/www.nebraskamed.com\/health\/search\/q-and-a)\n\n[![COVID-19 vaccine vials](https:\/\/www.nebraskamed.com\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/adv_health_teaser\/public\/images\/covid19\/SM102_opengraph.jpg.webp?itok=dtluy-2U)](https:\/\/www.nebraskamed.com\/COVID\/sm-102-moderna-vaccine)\n\nMay 21, 2021\n\n[You asked, we answered: Is it safe for SM-102 to be in the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine?](https:\/\/www.nebraskamed.com\/COVID\/sm-102-moderna-vaccine)\n\n[Questions and Answers](https:\/\/www.nebraskamed.com\/health\/search\/q-and-a)\n\n[![Women receiving vaccine](https:\/\/www.nebraskamed.com\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/adv_health_teaser\/public\/images\/covid19\/vaccineinfertility_opengraph.jpg.webp?itok=LyGtjQ6N)](https:\/\/www.nebraskamed.com\/COVID\/you-asked-we-answered-can-mrna-vaccines-cause-infertility)\n\nFebruary 22, 2021\n\n[You asked, we answered: Can mRNA vaccines cause infertility?](https:\/\/www.nebraskamed.com\/COVID\/you-asked-we-answered-can-mrna-vaccines-cause-infertility)\n\n## In this article\nServices\n\n[Learn more about  Coronavirus (COVID-19)](https:\/\/www.nebraskamed.com\/COVID)\n\nNeed help finding a doctor?\n\n[Browse our doctors](https:\/\/www.nebraskamed.com\/doctors) or call [800\\.922.0000](tel:+18009220000)\n\nShare:\n\n- [Link to share on Twitter](https:\/\/twitter.com\/intent\/tweet?url=https:\/\/www.nebraskamed.com\/COVID\/where-mrna-vaccines-and-spike-proteins-go)\n- [Link to share on Facebook](https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sharer\/sharer.php?u=https:\/\/www.nebraskamed.com\/COVID\/where-mrna-vaccines-and-spike-proteins-go)\n- [Share via email](mailto:?&body=https:\/\/www.nebraskamed.com\/COVID\/where-mrna-vaccines-and-spike-proteins-go%0A)\n\n### Stay connected with the Nebraska Medicine app\n[Download the app](https:\/\/www.nebraskamed.com\/patients\/telehealth\/app)\n\n### Subscribe to Advancing Health\nBy signing up, you are consenting to receive electronic messages from Nebraska Medicine.\n\n[Subscribe Today](https:\/\/www.nebraskamed.com\/form\/newsletter-signup)\n\n## Links you might like\n[Conditions and Services](https:\/\/www.nebraskamed.com\/health\/search\/conditions-and-services)\n\n[![Woman in bed nudging her snoring husband](https:\/\/www.nebraskamed.com\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/adv_health_teaser\/public\/images\/neurology\/PreventingAlzheimers_OpenGraph.png.webp?itok=ZjLZFVPZ)](https:\/\/www.nebraskamed.com\/health\/conditions-and-services\/neurological-care\/preventing-alzheimers-disease-and-dementia-by)\n\nDecember 24, 2025\n\n[Preventing Alzheimer’s disease and dementia by treating obstructive sleep apnea](https:\/\/www.nebraskamed.com\/health\/conditions-and-services\/neurological-care\/preventing-alzheimers-disease-and-dementia-by)\n\n[Healthy Lifestyle](https:\/\/www.nebraskamed.com\/health\/search\/healthy-lifestyle)\n\n[![Bowl of epsom salt (magnesium sulfate)](https:\/\/www.nebraskamed.com\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/adv_health_teaser\/public\/images\/primarycare\/Magnesium_OpenGraph.png.webp?itok=5yW2tsKB)](https:\/\/www.nebraskamed.com\/health\/healthy-lifestyle\/primary-care\/7-types-of-magnesium-which-form-is-right-for-you)\n\nNovember 19, 2025\n\n[7 types of magnesium: Which form is right for you?](https:\/\/www.nebraskamed.com\/health\/healthy-lifestyle\/primary-care\/7-types-of-magnesium-which-form-is-right-for-you)\n\n[Conditions and Services](https:\/\/www.nebraskamed.com\/health\/search\/conditions-and-services)\n\n[![picture of a couple](https:\/\/www.nebraskamed.com\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/adv_health_teaser\/public\/images\/womens-health\/sexasyouage_opengraph.jpg.webp?itok=flQTNv4m)](https:\/\/www.nebraskamed.com\/womens-health\/how-to-have-great-sex-during-menopause)\n\nSeptember 5, 2024\n\n[How to have great sex during menopause and beyond](https:\/\/www.nebraskamed.com\/womens-health\/how-to-have-great-sex-during-menopause)\n\n[Subscribe to Advancing Health Link activates modal](https:\/\/www.nebraskamed.com\/form\/newsletter-signup)\n\nOpen modal window\n\nOpen directions modal\n\n## Modal window\n#### You're leaving our website\nYou’re about to leave the Nebraska Medicine website. The other site may collect information about your visit, including your IP address. Do you want to continue?\n\n[Open in Google Maps](https:\/\/www.nebraskamed.com\/COVID\/where-mrna-vaccines-and-spike-proteins-go)\n\nClose modal window\n\nclose modal window\n\nGet taken care of today. Call [800\\.922.0000](tel:8009220000) or [Schedule an Appointment](https:\/\/www.nebraskamed.com\/care)\n\n![logo](https:\/\/www.nebraskamed.com\/sites\/default\/files\/2025-11\/NMed_Primary_Tag_RGB.png)\n\nOur mission is to transform lives and create a healthier future through education, research and extraordinary patient care.\n\n## Quick Links\n- [Find Care Now](https:\/\/www.nebraskamed.com\/care)\n- [Help Center](https:\/\/www.nebraskamed.com\/help)\n- [One Chart \\| Patient](https:\/\/www.nebraskamed.com\/patients\/one-chart)\n- [Billing and Insurance](https:\/\/www.nebraskamed.com\/patients\/billing)\n- [For Providers](https:\/\/www.nebraskamed.com\/for-providers)\n- [Clinical Trials](https:\/\/www.nebraskamed.com\/clinical-trials)\n\nQuick Links\n\n- [Find Care Now](https:\/\/www.nebraskamed.com\/care)\n- [Help Center](https:\/\/www.nebraskamed.com\/help)\n- [One Chart \\| Patient](https:\/\/www.nebraskamed.com\/patients\/one-chart)\n- [Billing and Insurance](https:\/\/www.nebraskamed.com\/patients\/billing)\n- [For Providers](https:\/\/www.nebraskamed.com\/for-providers)\n- [Clinical Trials](https:\/\/www.nebraskamed.com\/clinical-trials)\n\n## Connect with Us\n- [Nebraska Medicine App](https:\/\/www.nebraskamed.com\/patients\/one-chart\/app)\n- [Advancing Health Blog](https:\/\/www.nebraskamed.com\/health)\n- [Events and Webinars](https:\/\/www.nebraskamed.com\/health\/events-webinars)\n- [Contact Us](https:\/\/www.nebraskamed.com\/node\/1016)\n\nConnect with Us\n\n- [Nebraska Medicine App](https:\/\/www.nebraskamed.com\/patients\/one-chart\/app)\n- [Advancing Health Blog](https:\/\/www.nebraskamed.com\/health)\n- [Events and Webinars](https:\/\/www.nebraskamed.com\/health\/events-webinars)\n- [Contact Us](https:\/\/www.nebraskamed.com\/node\/1016)\n\n## About\n- [Our Story](https:\/\/www.nebraskamed.com\/about-us)\n- [Careers](https:\/\/www.nebraskamed.com\/careers)\n- [For the Media](https:\/\/www.nebraskamed.com\/about-us\/news)\n- [For Employees](https:\/\/www.nebraskamed.com\/for-employees)\n\nAbout\n\n- [Our Story](https:\/\/www.nebraskamed.com\/about-us)\n- [Careers](https:\/\/www.nebraskamed.com\/careers)\n- [For the Media](https:\/\/www.nebraskamed.com\/about-us\/news)\n- [For Employees](https:\/\/www.nebraskamed.com\/for-employees)\n\n## Ways to Help\n- [Giving](https:\/\/www.nebraskamed.com\/giving)\n- [Volunteering](https:\/\/www.nebraskamed.com\/giving\/volunteer-services)\n- [Organ Donation](https:\/\/www.nebraskamed.com\/transplant\/living-organ-donation)\n\nWays to Help\n\n- [Giving](https:\/\/www.nebraskamed.com\/giving)\n- [Volunteering](https:\/\/www.nebraskamed.com\/giving\/volunteer-services)\n- [Organ Donation](https:\/\/www.nebraskamed.com\/transplant\/living-organ-donation)\n\n© 2026 Nebraska Medicine. All rights reserved.\n\n- [BlueSky](https:\/\/bsky.app\/profile\/nebraskamed.bsky.social)\n- [Facebook](https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/NebraskaMed)\n- [Instagram](https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/nebraskamed\/)\n- [LinkedIn](https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/company\/nebraskamed\/)\n- [Threads](https:\/\/www.threads.com\/@nebraskamed)\n- [X](https:\/\/x.com\/NebraskaMed)\n- [YouTube](https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/@Nebraskamed)\n\n- [Legal](https:\/\/www.nebraskamed.com\/legal)\n- [Accessibility](https:\/\/www.nebraskamed.com\/accessibility-statement)\n- [Equal Employment Opportunity](https:\/\/www.nebraskamed.com\/careers\/working-here)\n- [Non-Discrimination Notice](https:\/\/www.nebraskamed.com\/notice-nondiscrimination)\n- [Notice of Privacy Practices](https:\/\/www.nebraskamed.com\/patients\/rights-responsibilities\/notice-privacy-practices)\n- [Price Transparency](https:\/\/www.nebraskamed.com\/patients\/billing\/current-hospital-prices)\n\n- [BlueSky](https:\/\/bsky.app\/profile\/nebraskamed.bsky.social)\n- [Facebook](https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/NebraskaMed)\n- [Instagram](https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/nebraskamed\/)\n- [LinkedIn](https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/company\/nebraskamed\/)\n- [Threads](https:\/\/www.threads.com\/@nebraskamed)\n- [X](https:\/\/x.com\/NebraskaMed)\n- [YouTube](https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/@Nebraskamed)","attrs_readable_markdown":"Vaccines generally work by introducing a piece of a virus or bacteria into your body so you can develop long-lasting immunity to the pathogen. While the piece introduced by the vaccine rapidly fades away, your body's immune system remembers what it saw. When it encounters the virus or bacteria in the real world it mounts a strong immune response preventing or decreasing the severity of infection.\n\nSome have expressed concern that the spike protein or other parts of the mRNA vaccines build up in the body, particularly in the ovaries or the brain. Here we break down the data to show where mRNA vaccines (and spike proteins) travel in the body. There is no evidence that any mRNA or protein accumulates in any organ.\n\n### Why do they use spike proteins?\nFor COVID-19 vaccines, all of the approved vaccines so far used the spike protein. The spike protein is located on the outside of a coronavirus and is how SARS-CoV-2 (the coronavirus) enters human cells. Its location on the outside of the virus makes it so the immune system can recognize it easily.\n\nThe spike protein is unique to SARS-CoV-2 – it doesn't look like other proteins your body makes. So antibodies created against the spike protein won't harm your body, they will only target coronavirus.\n\n### How long mRNA lasts in the body\nThe Pfizer and Moderna vaccines work by introducing mRNA (messenger RNA) into your muscle cells. The cells make copies of the spike protein and the mRNA is quickly degraded (within a few days). The cell breaks the mRNA up into small harmless pieces. mRNA is very fragile; that's one reason why mRNA vaccines must be so carefully preserved at very low temperatures.\n\n### How long do spike proteins last in the body?\nThe Infectious Disease Society of America (IDSA) estimates that the spike proteins that were generated by COVID-19 vaccines [last up to a few weeks](https:\/\/www.idsociety.org\/covid-19-real-time-learning-network\/), like other proteins made by the body. The immune system quickly identifies, attacks and destroys the spike proteins because it recognizes them as not part of you. This \"learning the enemy\" process is how the immune system figures out how to defeat the real coronavirus. It remembers what it saw and when you are exposed to coronavirus in the future it can rapidly mount an effective immune response.\n\nThe Novavax vaccine introduces the actual protein into your body to produce an immune response similar to many other vaccines currently in use.\n\n### Where does the vaccine go?\nHere's a [peer-reviewed study](https:\/\/www.sciencedirect.com\/science\/article\/pii\/S2211124720302928) that shows where intramuscular vaccines (which all three of the COVID-19 vaccines are) travel in macaques (a type of monkey). Vaccines mostly remain near the site of injection (the arm muscle) and local lymph nodes.\n\nThis makes sense: Lymph nodes produce white blood cells and antibodies to protect us from disease. A key part of the lymphatic system, lymph nodes also clean up fluids and remove waste materials. Finding pieces of spike protein in the lymph nodes is completely normal, because lymph nodes act as the trash removal service for the body. That means the vaccine did its job (made spike proteins, which caused the creation of antibodies) and will be cleared from the body.\n\n[Another peer-reviewed study](https:\/\/www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/pmc\/articles\/PMC5475249\/) tested exactly where an mRNA vaccine went in mice. Most of the mRNA vaccine stayed in the injection site muscle – where you get the shot. Look at Table 1. A lot of mRNA vaccine was found in local lymph nodes, which peaked about eight hours after the shot was given. A much smaller amount of mRNA vaccine went to farther away lymph nodes.\n\n### Can the COVID-19 vaccines change your DNA?\nNo. COVID-19 vaccines cannot change your DNA.\n\nDNA is stored in the nucleus of your cells. mRNA vaccines do their work outside of the nucleus (in a space called the cytoplasm) and have not been observed to interact with the nucleus. The cell breaks down and gets rid of the mRNA soon after it's finished using the instructions.","meta_canonical":null}

3. Robots.txt Check

Query:

Response:

4. Spam/Ban Check

Query:

Response:

5. Seen Status Check

ℹ️ Skipped - page is already crawled

📄

INDEXABLE

✅

CRAWLED

2 hours ago

🤖

ROBOTS ALLOWED

Page Info Filters

Filter	Status	Condition	Details
HTTP status	PASS	`download_http_code = 200`	HTTP 200
Age cutoff	PASS	`download_stamp > now() - 6 MONTH`	0 months ago
History drop	PASS	`isNull(history_drop_reason)`	No drop reason
Spam/ban	PASS	`fh_dont_index != 1 AND ml_spam_score = 0`	ml_spam_score=0
Canonical	PASS	`meta_canonical IS NULL OR = '' OR = src_unparsed`	Not set

Page Details

Property	Value
URL	https://www.nebraskamed.com/COVID/where-mrna-vaccines-and-spike-proteins-go
Last Crawled	2026-04-14 00:48:40 (2 hours ago)
First Indexed	2021-07-03 09:13:01 (4 years ago)
HTTP Status Code	200
Meta Title	How long do mRNA and spike proteins last in the body? \| Nebraska Medicine Omaha, NE
Meta Description	Here we break down the data to show where mRNA vaccines (and spike proteins) travel in the body. There is no evidence that any mRNA or protein accumulates in any organ.
Meta Canonical	null
Boilerpipe Text	Vaccines generally work by introducing a piece of a virus or bacteria into your body so you can develop long-lasting immunity to the pathogen. While the piece introduced by the vaccine rapidly fades away, your body's immune system remembers what it saw. When it encounters the virus or bacteria in the real world it mounts a strong immune response preventing or decreasing the severity of infection. Some have expressed concern that the spike protein or other parts of the mRNA vaccines build up in the body, particularly in the ovaries or the brain. Here we break down the data to show where mRNA vaccines (and spike proteins) travel in the body. There is no evidence that any mRNA or protein accumulates in any organ. Why do they use spike proteins? For COVID-19 vaccines, all of the approved vaccines so far used the spike protein. The spike protein is located on the outside of a coronavirus and is how SARS-CoV-2 (the coronavirus) enters human cells. Its location on the outside of the virus makes it so the immune system can recognize it easily. The spike protein is unique to SARS-CoV-2 – it doesn't look like other proteins your body makes. So antibodies created against the spike protein won't harm your body, they will only target coronavirus. How long mRNA lasts in the body The Pfizer and Moderna vaccines work by introducing mRNA (messenger RNA) into your muscle cells. The cells make copies of the spike protein and the mRNA is quickly degraded (within a few days). The cell breaks the mRNA up into small harmless pieces. mRNA is very fragile; that's one reason why mRNA vaccines must be so carefully preserved at very low temperatures. How long do spike proteins last in the body? The Infectious Disease Society of America (IDSA) estimates that the spike proteins that were generated by COVID-19 vaccines last up to a few weeks , like other proteins made by the body. The immune system quickly identifies, attacks and destroys the spike proteins because it recognizes them as not part of you. This "learning the enemy" process is how the immune system figures out how to defeat the real coronavirus. It remembers what it saw and when you are exposed to coronavirus in the future it can rapidly mount an effective immune response. The Novavax vaccine introduces the actual protein into your body to produce an immune response similar to many other vaccines currently in use. Where does the vaccine go? Here's a peer-reviewed study that shows where intramuscular vaccines (which all three of the COVID-19 vaccines are) travel in macaques (a type of monkey). Vaccines mostly remain near the site of injection (the arm muscle) and local lymph nodes. This makes sense: Lymph nodes produce white blood cells and antibodies to protect us from disease. A key part of the lymphatic system, lymph nodes also clean up fluids and remove waste materials. Finding pieces of spike protein in the lymph nodes is completely normal, because lymph nodes act as the trash removal service for the body. That means the vaccine did its job (made spike proteins, which caused the creation of antibodies) and will be cleared from the body. Another peer-reviewed study tested exactly where an mRNA vaccine went in mice. Most of the mRNA vaccine stayed in the injection site muscle – where you get the shot. Look at Table 1. A lot of mRNA vaccine was found in local lymph nodes, which peaked about eight hours after the shot was given. A much smaller amount of mRNA vaccine went to farther away lymph nodes. Can the COVID-19 vaccines change your DNA? No. COVID-19 vaccines cannot change your DNA. DNA is stored in the nucleus of your cells. mRNA vaccines do their work outside of the nucleus (in a space called the cytoplasm) and have not been observed to interact with the nucleus. The cell breaks down and gets rid of the mRNA soon after it's finished using the instructions.
Markdown	[Skip to main content](https://www.nebraskamed.com/COVID/where-mrna-vaccines-and-spike-proteins-go#main-content) - [NEBRASKA MEDICINE](https://www.nebraskamed.com/) - [UNMC](http://www.unmc.edu/) - [Find Care Now](https://www.nebraskamed.com/care) - [One Chart](https://www.onechartpatient.com/mychart/) - [Pay Bill](https://www.nebraskamed.com/patients/billing/pay-online) - [For Providers](https://www.nebraskamed.com/for-providers) - [Careers](https://www.nebraskamed.com/careers) - [Help](https://www.nebraskamed.com/help) [Home](https://www.nebraskamed.com/) - [Find a Doctor](https://www.nebraskamed.com/doctors) - [Care and Services](https://www.nebraskamed.com/treatments) ## Care and Services Comprehensive care for all your health needs. [View All Services](https://www.nebraskamed.com/treatments) ## Featured Services - [Primary Care](https://www.nebraskamed.com/primary-care) - [Heart and Vascular](https://www.nebraskamed.com/heart) - [Cancer Care](https://www.nebraskamed.com/cancer) - [Women's Health](https://www.nebraskamed.com/womens-health) - [Orthopaedics](https://www.nebraskamed.com/orthopaedics) - [Neurological Care](https://www.nebraskamed.com/neurological-care) - [Ear Nose Throat](https://www.nebraskamed.com/ear-nose-throat) - [Behavioral Health](https://www.nebraskamed.com/behavioral-health) - [Dermatology](https://www.nebraskamed.com/dermatology) - [Eye Care](https://www.nebraskamed.com/eye-care) - [Gastrointestinal Care](https://www.nebraskamed.com/gastrointestinal-care) - [Transplant](https://www.nebraskamed.com/transplant) ## Convenient Care - [Emergency Care](https://www.nebraskamed.com/search/locations?location_category%5B0%5D=Emergency%20Departments) - [Immediate Care Options](https://www.nebraskamed.com/immediate-care/care-options) - [Pharmacy](https://www.nebraskamed.com/pharmacy) - [Schedule an Appointment](https://www.nebraskamed.com/care) ## Digital Services - [One Chart \\| Patient Portal](https://www.onechartpatient.com/mychart/Authentication/Login) - [Nebraska Medicine Mobile App](https://www.nebraskamed.com/patients/one-chart/app) - [Virtual Care (Telehealth)](https://www.nebraskamed.com/telehealth) - [Locations](https://www.nebraskamed.com/locations) ## Our Locations Find care close to you at our locations throughout the region. [Find a Location](https://www.nebraskamed.com/locations) ## Locations by Category - [Emergency Departments](https://www.nebraskamed.com/search/locations?location_category%5B0%5D=Emergency%20Departments) - [Immediate Care Clinics](https://www.nebraskamed.com/search/locations?location_category%5B0%5D=Immediate%20Care%20Clinics) - [Primary Care Clinics](https://www.nebraskamed.com/search/locations?location_category%5B0%5D=Primary%20Care%20Clinics) - [Specialty Clinics](https://www.nebraskamed.com/search/locations?location_category%5B0%5D=Specialty%20Clinics) - [Hospitals and Medical Centers](https://www.nebraskamed.com/search/locations?location_category%5B0%5D=Hospitals%20/%20Medical%20Centers) - [Surgery Centers](https://www.nebraskamed.com/search/locations?location_category%5B0%5D=Surgery%20Centers) - [Radiology](https://www.nebraskamed.com/search/locations?location_category%5B0%5D=Radiology) - [Labs](https://www.nebraskamed.com/search/locations?location_category%5B0%5D=Labs) - [Pharmacies](https://www.nebraskamed.com/search/locations?service%5B0%5D=Pharmacy) ## Popular Locations - [Nebraska Medical Center](https://www.nebraskamed.com/nebraska-medical-center) - [Bellevue Medical Center](https://www.nebraskamed.com/bellevue) - [Village Pointe Health Center](https://www.nebraskamed.com/village-pointe) - [Patients and Visitors](https://www.nebraskamed.com/patients) - [Find Care Now](https://www.nebraskamed.com/care) - [One Chart](https://www.onechartpatient.com/mychart/) - [Pay Bill](https://www.nebraskamed.com/patients/billing/pay-online) - [For Providers](https://www.nebraskamed.com/for-providers) - [Careers](https://www.nebraskamed.com/careers) - [Help](https://www.nebraskamed.com/help) [UNMC](https://www.unmc.edu/) [Search]() [Advancing Health Homepage](https://www.nebraskamed.com/health) Get health information you can use, fact-checked by Nebraska Medicine experts. [View more blogs related to Conditions and Services](https://www.nebraskamed.com/health/search/conditions-and-services) [View more blogs related to Body Systems](https://www.nebraskamed.com/health/search/body-systems) [View more blogs related to COVID-19](https://www.nebraskamed.com/health/search/covid-19) # How long do mRNA and spike proteins last in the body? ![COVID-19 illustration](https://www.nebraskamed.com/sites/default/files/images/covid19/spikeprotein_opengraph.jpg) November 1, 2022 Vaccines generally work by introducing a piece of a virus or bacteria into your body so you can develop long-lasting immunity to the pathogen. While the piece introduced by the vaccine rapidly fades away, your body's immune system remembers what it saw. When it encounters the virus or bacteria in the real world it mounts a strong immune response preventing or decreasing the severity of infection. Some have expressed concern that the spike protein or other parts of the mRNA vaccines build up in the body, particularly in the ovaries or the brain. Here we break down the data to show where mRNA vaccines (and spike proteins) travel in the body. There is no evidence that any mRNA or protein accumulates in any organ. ### Why do they use spike proteins? For COVID-19 vaccines, all of the approved vaccines so far used the spike protein. The spike protein is located on the outside of a coronavirus and is how SARS-CoV-2 (the coronavirus) enters human cells. Its location on the outside of the virus makes it so the immune system can recognize it easily. The spike protein is unique to SARS-CoV-2 – it doesn't look like other proteins your body makes. So antibodies created against the spike protein won't harm your body, they will only target coronavirus. ### How long mRNA lasts in the body The Pfizer and Moderna vaccines work by introducing mRNA (messenger RNA) into your muscle cells. The cells make copies of the spike protein and the mRNA is quickly degraded (within a few days). The cell breaks the mRNA up into small harmless pieces. mRNA is very fragile; that's one reason why mRNA vaccines must be so carefully preserved at very low temperatures. ### How long do spike proteins last in the body? The Infectious Disease Society of America (IDSA) estimates that the spike proteins that were generated by COVID-19 vaccines [last up to a few weeks](https://www.idsociety.org/covid-19-real-time-learning-network/), like other proteins made by the body. The immune system quickly identifies, attacks and destroys the spike proteins because it recognizes them as not part of you. This "learning the enemy" process is how the immune system figures out how to defeat the real coronavirus. It remembers what it saw and when you are exposed to coronavirus in the future it can rapidly mount an effective immune response. The Novavax vaccine introduces the actual protein into your body to produce an immune response similar to many other vaccines currently in use. ### Where does the vaccine go? Here's a [peer-reviewed study](https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2211124720302928) that shows where intramuscular vaccines (which all three of the COVID-19 vaccines are) travel in macaques (a type of monkey). Vaccines mostly remain near the site of injection (the arm muscle) and local lymph nodes. This makes sense: Lymph nodes produce white blood cells and antibodies to protect us from disease. A key part of the lymphatic system, lymph nodes also clean up fluids and remove waste materials. Finding pieces of spike protein in the lymph nodes is completely normal, because lymph nodes act as the trash removal service for the body. That means the vaccine did its job (made spike proteins, which caused the creation of antibodies) and will be cleared from the body. [Another peer-reviewed study](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5475249/) tested exactly where an mRNA vaccine went in mice. Most of the mRNA vaccine stayed in the injection site muscle – where you get the shot. Look at Table 1. A lot of mRNA vaccine was found in local lymph nodes, which peaked about eight hours after the shot was given. A much smaller amount of mRNA vaccine went to farther away lymph nodes. ### Can the COVID-19 vaccines change your DNA? No. COVID-19 vaccines cannot change your DNA. DNA is stored in the nucleus of your cells. mRNA vaccines do their work outside of the nucleus (in a space called the cytoplasm) and have not been observed to interact with the nucleus. The cell breaks down and gets rid of the mRNA soon after it's finished using the instructions. ## Related articles [Questions and Answers](https://www.nebraskamed.com/health/search/q-and-a) [![Medical illustration of DNA strand](https://www.nebraskamed.com/sites/default/files/styles/adv_health_teaser/public/images/covid19/covidvaccine_dna_opengraph.jpg.webp?itok=g__YzRK9)](https://www.nebraskamed.com/COVID/you-asked-we-answered-can-mrna-vaccines-alter-human-dna) December 21, 2020 [You asked, we answered: Can mRNA vaccines alter human DNA?](https://www.nebraskamed.com/COVID/you-asked-we-answered-can-mrna-vaccines-alter-human-dna) [Questions and Answers](https://www.nebraskamed.com/health/search/q-and-a) [![COVID-19 vaccine vials](https://www.nebraskamed.com/sites/default/files/styles/adv_health_teaser/public/images/covid19/SM102_opengraph.jpg.webp?itok=dtluy-2U)](https://www.nebraskamed.com/COVID/sm-102-moderna-vaccine) May 21, 2021 [You asked, we answered: Is it safe for SM-102 to be in the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine?](https://www.nebraskamed.com/COVID/sm-102-moderna-vaccine) [Questions and Answers](https://www.nebraskamed.com/health/search/q-and-a) [![Women receiving vaccine](https://www.nebraskamed.com/sites/default/files/styles/adv_health_teaser/public/images/covid19/vaccineinfertility_opengraph.jpg.webp?itok=LyGtjQ6N)](https://www.nebraskamed.com/COVID/you-asked-we-answered-can-mrna-vaccines-cause-infertility) February 22, 2021 [You asked, we answered: Can mRNA vaccines cause infertility?](https://www.nebraskamed.com/COVID/you-asked-we-answered-can-mrna-vaccines-cause-infertility) ## In this article Services [Learn more about Coronavirus (COVID-19)](https://www.nebraskamed.com/COVID) Need help finding a doctor? [Browse our doctors](https://www.nebraskamed.com/doctors) or call [800\.922.0000](tel:+18009220000) Share: - [Link to share on Twitter](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?url=https://www.nebraskamed.com/COVID/where-mrna-vaccines-and-spike-proteins-go) - [Link to share on Facebook](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https://www.nebraskamed.com/COVID/where-mrna-vaccines-and-spike-proteins-go) - [Share via email](mailto:?&body=https://www.nebraskamed.com/COVID/where-mrna-vaccines-and-spike-proteins-go%0A) ### Stay connected with the Nebraska Medicine app [Download the app](https://www.nebraskamed.com/patients/telehealth/app) ### Subscribe to Advancing Health By signing up, you are consenting to receive electronic messages from Nebraska Medicine. [Subscribe Today](https://www.nebraskamed.com/form/newsletter-signup) ## Links you might like [Conditions and Services](https://www.nebraskamed.com/health/search/conditions-and-services) [![Woman in bed nudging her snoring husband](https://www.nebraskamed.com/sites/default/files/styles/adv_health_teaser/public/images/neurology/PreventingAlzheimers_OpenGraph.png.webp?itok=ZjLZFVPZ)](https://www.nebraskamed.com/health/conditions-and-services/neurological-care/preventing-alzheimers-disease-and-dementia-by) December 24, 2025 [Preventing Alzheimer’s disease and dementia by treating obstructive sleep apnea](https://www.nebraskamed.com/health/conditions-and-services/neurological-care/preventing-alzheimers-disease-and-dementia-by) [Healthy Lifestyle](https://www.nebraskamed.com/health/search/healthy-lifestyle) [![Bowl of epsom salt (magnesium sulfate)](https://www.nebraskamed.com/sites/default/files/styles/adv_health_teaser/public/images/primarycare/Magnesium_OpenGraph.png.webp?itok=5yW2tsKB)](https://www.nebraskamed.com/health/healthy-lifestyle/primary-care/7-types-of-magnesium-which-form-is-right-for-you) November 19, 2025 [7 types of magnesium: Which form is right for you?](https://www.nebraskamed.com/health/healthy-lifestyle/primary-care/7-types-of-magnesium-which-form-is-right-for-you) [Conditions and Services](https://www.nebraskamed.com/health/search/conditions-and-services) [![picture of a couple](https://www.nebraskamed.com/sites/default/files/styles/adv_health_teaser/public/images/womens-health/sexasyouage_opengraph.jpg.webp?itok=flQTNv4m)](https://www.nebraskamed.com/womens-health/how-to-have-great-sex-during-menopause) September 5, 2024 [How to have great sex during menopause and beyond](https://www.nebraskamed.com/womens-health/how-to-have-great-sex-during-menopause) [Subscribe to Advancing Health Link activates modal](https://www.nebraskamed.com/form/newsletter-signup) Open modal window Open directions modal ## Modal window #### You're leaving our website You’re about to leave the Nebraska Medicine website. The other site may collect information about your visit, including your IP address. Do you want to continue? [Open in Google Maps](https://www.nebraskamed.com/COVID/where-mrna-vaccines-and-spike-proteins-go) Close modal window close modal window Get taken care of today. Call [800\.922.0000](tel:8009220000) or [Schedule an Appointment](https://www.nebraskamed.com/care) ![logo](https://www.nebraskamed.com/sites/default/files/2025-11/NMed_Primary_Tag_RGB.png) Our mission is to transform lives and create a healthier future through education, research and extraordinary patient care. ## Quick Links - [Find Care Now](https://www.nebraskamed.com/care) - [Help Center](https://www.nebraskamed.com/help) - [One Chart \\| Patient](https://www.nebraskamed.com/patients/one-chart) - [Billing and Insurance](https://www.nebraskamed.com/patients/billing) - [For Providers](https://www.nebraskamed.com/for-providers) - [Clinical Trials](https://www.nebraskamed.com/clinical-trials) Quick Links - [Find Care Now](https://www.nebraskamed.com/care) - [Help Center](https://www.nebraskamed.com/help) - [One Chart \\| Patient](https://www.nebraskamed.com/patients/one-chart) - [Billing and Insurance](https://www.nebraskamed.com/patients/billing) - [For Providers](https://www.nebraskamed.com/for-providers) - [Clinical Trials](https://www.nebraskamed.com/clinical-trials) ## Connect with Us - [Nebraska Medicine App](https://www.nebraskamed.com/patients/one-chart/app) - [Advancing Health Blog](https://www.nebraskamed.com/health) - [Events and Webinars](https://www.nebraskamed.com/health/events-webinars) - [Contact Us](https://www.nebraskamed.com/node/1016) Connect with Us - [Nebraska Medicine App](https://www.nebraskamed.com/patients/one-chart/app) - [Advancing Health Blog](https://www.nebraskamed.com/health) - [Events and Webinars](https://www.nebraskamed.com/health/events-webinars) - [Contact Us](https://www.nebraskamed.com/node/1016) ## About - [Our Story](https://www.nebraskamed.com/about-us) - [Careers](https://www.nebraskamed.com/careers) - [For the Media](https://www.nebraskamed.com/about-us/news) - [For Employees](https://www.nebraskamed.com/for-employees) About - [Our Story](https://www.nebraskamed.com/about-us) - [Careers](https://www.nebraskamed.com/careers) - [For the Media](https://www.nebraskamed.com/about-us/news) - [For Employees](https://www.nebraskamed.com/for-employees) ## Ways to Help - [Giving](https://www.nebraskamed.com/giving) - [Volunteering](https://www.nebraskamed.com/giving/volunteer-services) - [Organ Donation](https://www.nebraskamed.com/transplant/living-organ-donation) Ways to Help - [Giving](https://www.nebraskamed.com/giving) - [Volunteering](https://www.nebraskamed.com/giving/volunteer-services) - [Organ Donation](https://www.nebraskamed.com/transplant/living-organ-donation) © 2026 Nebraska Medicine. All rights reserved. - [BlueSky](https://bsky.app/profile/nebraskamed.bsky.social) - [Facebook](https://www.facebook.com/NebraskaMed) - [Instagram](https://www.instagram.com/nebraskamed/) - [LinkedIn](https://www.linkedin.com/company/nebraskamed/) - [Threads](https://www.threads.com/@nebraskamed) - [X](https://x.com/NebraskaMed) - [YouTube](https://www.youtube.com/@Nebraskamed) - [Legal](https://www.nebraskamed.com/legal) - [Accessibility](https://www.nebraskamed.com/accessibility-statement) - [Equal Employment Opportunity](https://www.nebraskamed.com/careers/working-here) - [Non-Discrimination Notice](https://www.nebraskamed.com/notice-nondiscrimination) - [Notice of Privacy Practices](https://www.nebraskamed.com/patients/rights-responsibilities/notice-privacy-practices) - [Price Transparency](https://www.nebraskamed.com/patients/billing/current-hospital-prices) - [BlueSky](https://bsky.app/profile/nebraskamed.bsky.social) - [Facebook](https://www.facebook.com/NebraskaMed) - [Instagram](https://www.instagram.com/nebraskamed/) - [LinkedIn](https://www.linkedin.com/company/nebraskamed/) - [Threads](https://www.threads.com/@nebraskamed) - [X](https://x.com/NebraskaMed) - [YouTube](https://www.youtube.com/@Nebraskamed)
Readable Markdown	Vaccines generally work by introducing a piece of a virus or bacteria into your body so you can develop long-lasting immunity to the pathogen. While the piece introduced by the vaccine rapidly fades away, your body's immune system remembers what it saw. When it encounters the virus or bacteria in the real world it mounts a strong immune response preventing or decreasing the severity of infection. Some have expressed concern that the spike protein or other parts of the mRNA vaccines build up in the body, particularly in the ovaries or the brain. Here we break down the data to show where mRNA vaccines (and spike proteins) travel in the body. There is no evidence that any mRNA or protein accumulates in any organ. ### Why do they use spike proteins? For COVID-19 vaccines, all of the approved vaccines so far used the spike protein. The spike protein is located on the outside of a coronavirus and is how SARS-CoV-2 (the coronavirus) enters human cells. Its location on the outside of the virus makes it so the immune system can recognize it easily. The spike protein is unique to SARS-CoV-2 – it doesn't look like other proteins your body makes. So antibodies created against the spike protein won't harm your body, they will only target coronavirus. ### How long mRNA lasts in the body The Pfizer and Moderna vaccines work by introducing mRNA (messenger RNA) into your muscle cells. The cells make copies of the spike protein and the mRNA is quickly degraded (within a few days). The cell breaks the mRNA up into small harmless pieces. mRNA is very fragile; that's one reason why mRNA vaccines must be so carefully preserved at very low temperatures. ### How long do spike proteins last in the body? The Infectious Disease Society of America (IDSA) estimates that the spike proteins that were generated by COVID-19 vaccines [last up to a few weeks](https://www.idsociety.org/covid-19-real-time-learning-network/), like other proteins made by the body. The immune system quickly identifies, attacks and destroys the spike proteins because it recognizes them as not part of you. This "learning the enemy" process is how the immune system figures out how to defeat the real coronavirus. It remembers what it saw and when you are exposed to coronavirus in the future it can rapidly mount an effective immune response. The Novavax vaccine introduces the actual protein into your body to produce an immune response similar to many other vaccines currently in use. ### Where does the vaccine go? Here's a [peer-reviewed study](https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2211124720302928) that shows where intramuscular vaccines (which all three of the COVID-19 vaccines are) travel in macaques (a type of monkey). Vaccines mostly remain near the site of injection (the arm muscle) and local lymph nodes. This makes sense: Lymph nodes produce white blood cells and antibodies to protect us from disease. A key part of the lymphatic system, lymph nodes also clean up fluids and remove waste materials. Finding pieces of spike protein in the lymph nodes is completely normal, because lymph nodes act as the trash removal service for the body. That means the vaccine did its job (made spike proteins, which caused the creation of antibodies) and will be cleared from the body. [Another peer-reviewed study](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5475249/) tested exactly where an mRNA vaccine went in mice. Most of the mRNA vaccine stayed in the injection site muscle – where you get the shot. Look at Table 1. A lot of mRNA vaccine was found in local lymph nodes, which peaked about eight hours after the shot was given. A much smaller amount of mRNA vaccine went to farther away lymph nodes. ### Can the COVID-19 vaccines change your DNA? No. COVID-19 vaccines cannot change your DNA. DNA is stored in the nucleus of your cells. mRNA vaccines do their work outside of the nucleus (in a space called the cytoplasm) and have not been observed to interact with the nucleus. The cell breaks down and gets rid of the mRNA soon after it's finished using the instructions.
Shard	121 (laksa)
Root Hash	12295970854620659321
Unparsed URL	com,nebraskamed!www,/COVID/where-mrna-vaccines-and-spike-proteins-go s443