It is frustrating trying to get at the truth through so many veils. My perception is that we are awash in profit driven media statements from governments and industries who have nearly all the power as to what the public sees and hears and, therefore, believes. In this article, we will delve into the COVID spike protein, both that coming from the coronavirus itself, and the spike protein created on purpose as part of the latest technologies called COVID vaccines.
The key points in the spike protein debates as far as we could find are this:
- Does the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein cause blood clots?
- Do mRNA vaccines cause the body to make spike protein?
- Do mRNA spike proteins embed and bind to the same molecules as SARS-CoV-2 spike protein?
- Are mRNA spike proteins stabilized in a pre-fusion configuration?
- Does this make them last longer in the body?
- When injected, does the mRNA vaccine material stay local or travel throughout the body?
- Which symptoms caused by the body’s reaction to the spike protein (stabilized or not) itself?
The best answers we could find in an initial review to these questions are below:
Does the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein cause blood clots?
The spike protein does play a role in blood clot formation:
1. The SARS-CoV-2 spike protein directly binds to fibrinogen and fibrin, forming abnormal blood clots with enhanced inflammatory activity[1][2].
2. This interaction leads to structurally abnormal clots that are more resistant to degradation and have increased proinflammatory properties[3].
3. The spike protein can competitively inhibit the binding of antithrombin and heparin cofactor II to heparin/heparin sulfate, causing an abnormal increase in thrombin activity[4].
4. These spike-induced clots can trigger systemic thromboinflammation and neuropathology[3].
5. The spike protein also enhances fibrin-induced release of reactive oxygen species from immune cells, further contributing to inflammation[3].
It’s important to note that while these mechanisms have been observed with the virus spike protein, studies have shown that mRNA vaccines do not pose the same risks. In fact, a study of 99 million COVID-vaccinated individuals found no excessive clotting or blood-based disorders that met the threshold for safety concerns with mRNA vaccines[2].
Do mRNA vaccines cause the body to make spike protein?
Yes, mRNA vaccines cause the body to produce spike protein. This is a key part of how these vaccines work:
1. The mRNA in COVID-19 vaccines contains instructions for cells to produce the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein[5][7].
2. After vaccination, the mRNA enters muscle cells, where it uses the cells’ machinery to produce the spike protein[5].
3. The spike protein is then displayed on the cell surface, triggering an immune response[5][7].
4. This process mimics what happens during a natural infection, but without exposing the body to the actual virus[7].
It’s important to note that:
– The spike protein produced is only a piece of the virus, not the whole virus, and cannot cause COVID-19[5][7].
– After the protein is made, cells break down the mRNA and remove it[5].
– Recent studies have found that in some cases, spike protein may persist longer than initially thought, with potential implications that are still being researched[9].
What About the New Study that Found Spike After 700 Days?
Based on the study you provided (Bhattacharjee et al., 2025), here’s the information regarding spike protein persistence:
* Elevated circulating spike protein: The study found that individuals with post-vaccination syndrome (PVS) exhibited elevated levels of circulating spike protein compared to healthy controls (Page 2, Lines 51-52).
* Blood samples collected: All blood samples were collected between December 2022 and November 2023 (Page 4, Lines 108-109).
* Days post latest vaccination: The median number of days post the latest vaccination was significantly higher among cases with a median of 585 days (±190) compared with 199 days (±217) among controls (Page 5, Lines 168-170).
* Calculating Maximum Persistence: 585 days + 190 days = 775 days
* Calculating Minimum Persistence: 585 days – 190 days = 395 days
Therefore, given the data indicating that the samples were taken in late 2022 and 2023, the median time since last vaccination for the PVS group was approximately 585 days (±190). Based on these figures, it’s possible that some individuals in the PVS group still had detectable spike protein up to a maximum of 775 days after their last vaccination.
The recent Yale study (2025) provides new insights into the persistence of spike protein in some individuals with post-vaccination syndrome (PVS):
-
Earlier studies typically reported spike protein detection for shorter periods:
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Up to 28 days in plasma after vaccination
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Up to 60 days in axillary lymph nodes
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Up to 4 months in circulating exosomes
-
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The Yale study found that some PVS participants had detectable spike protein levels more than 700 days after their last vaccination[12]. This is significantly longer than previously reported.
The text I found in the study pdf is this:
Most notably, we found elevated levels of spike (S1 and full-472 length S) in circulation up to 709 days after vaccination among a subset with PVS, even in those with no evidence of detectable SARS-CoV-2 infection[55].
Do mRNA spike proteins embed and bind to the same molecules as SARS-CoV-2 spike protein?
The spike proteins produced by mRNA vaccines and those on SARS-CoV-2 are structurally similar and bind to the same primary receptor, ACE2. However, there are some important differences:
1. The vaccine-induced spike proteins are modified to remain in a prefusion conformation, stabilized by two proline substitutions (K986P and V987P). This “S-2P” version is designed to elicit a more effective immune response[13].
2. While both bind to ACE2, the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein has been found to interact with additional molecules:
– It binds to sialic acids (SAs) on cell membranes, which may enhance viral attachment and entry[15].
– The spike protein interacts with vimentin (VIM), which can facilitate SARS-CoV-2 infection[14].
3. The vaccine-induced spike proteins are not part of a complete virus, so they lack the ability to facilitate membrane fusion and viral entry in the same way as the virus-bound spike protein[13][16].
4. The distribution and behavior of vaccine-induced spike proteins in the body differ from those of the virus, as they are produced by host cells rather than being part of an infecting virus particle.
While the vaccine-induced and viral spike proteins share key structural features, their interactions with host molecules and overall behavior in the body are not identical due to these differences in modification, context, and function[13][15][16].
Are mRNA spike proteins stabilized in a pre-fusion configuration?
Yes, mRNA vaccines, such as those developed by Pfizer/BioNTech and Moderna, encode a spike protein that is stabilized in its prefusion conformation. This stabilization is achieved through the inclusion of two proline substitutions at positions K986 and V987 (known as the “S-2P” design). These modifications prevent the spike protein from transitioning into its postfusion state, which is critical for viral membrane fusion during infection.
The prefusion-stabilized spike protein mimics the conformation found on the surface of the SARS-CoV-2 virus before it binds to host cells, making it an ideal target for eliciting a strong immune response. This design enhances the stability and expression of the spike protein, ensuring its effectiveness as a vaccine antigen and improving its ability to generate neutralizing antibodies against the virus[21][22][13][23].
Does stabilization of artificial spike protein make it last longer in the body?
The stabilization of mRNA vaccine-induced spike proteins in their prefusion conformation does not necessarily make them last longer in the body. Recent studies have shown that the persistence of spike proteins and mRNA from vaccines can vary:
1. Spike proteins have been detected in plasma up to 28 days after vaccination[11][28].
2. mRNA from vaccines has been found to persist in axillary lymph nodes for up to 60 days post-vaccination[11].
3. In rare cases, vaccine mRNA was detected in heart muscle, particularly in individuals with pre-existing cardiac injury[30].
4. Some studies have reported the presence of spike protein in circulating exosomes up to 4 months after vaccination[11].
However, it’s important to note that the Infectious Disease Society of America (IDSA) estimates that spike proteins generated by COVID-19 vaccines typically last up to a few weeks[28]. The prefusion stabilization is primarily designed to enhance the immune response rather than to extend the protein’s duration in the body.
The persistence of vaccine components appears to vary between individuals and may be influenced by factors such as pre-existing conditions or immune responses. More research is needed to fully understand the long-term dynamics of mRNA vaccines and their products in the human body.
When injected, does the mRNA vaccine material stay local or travel throughout the body?
Based on recent studies, mRNA vaccine material does not stay entirely local after injection but distributes throughout the body to varying degrees:
1. Rapid and widespread distribution: mRNA is detectable in most tissues within 2 hours of injection, indicating quick spread throughout the body[33].
2. Highest concentrations: The injection site (muscle), lymph nodes, spleen, eyes, and liver show the highest levels of mRNA[33].
3. Broader distribution: Lower levels of mRNA are found in other organs, including the heart, lungs, testes, and brain[33][28].
4. Blood-brain barrier crossing: Small amounts of mRNA are detected in the brain, suggesting it can cross the blood-brain barrier[33].
5. Persistence: mRNA can be detected in some tissues for extended periods, with studies showing presence up to 30 days post-vaccination in certain organs[11].
6. Elimination rates: The elimination half-life varies by tissue, with blood having the shortest (2.7-3.8 hours) and lymph nodes and spleen having longer half-lives (31-63 hours)[33].
While the majority of the vaccine remains near the injection site and in nearby lymph nodes, these findings indicate that mRNA vaccines do not stay entirely localized but distribute throughout the body to some extent[30][28].
Which symptoms caused by the body’s reaction to the spike protein (stabilized or not) itself?
The spike protein, whether stabilized or not, can trigger various symptoms in the body due to its interactions with different tissues and the immune system. Based on the search results, the following symptoms have been associated with the body’s reaction to the spike protein:
1. Cognitive deficits and memory problems[37][39]
2. Anxiety-like behavior[39]
3. Inflammation in the central nervous system[37][39]
4. Neurological issues, including brain fog[37][40]
5. Fatigue[36]
6. Headache[36][38]
7. Fever and chills[36][38]
8. Joint or muscle pain (myalgia)[36][38]
9. Swollen, painful, or tender lymph glands[36]
10. Nausea and vomiting[36]
11. Dizziness[36]
12. Heart-related issues, including myocarditis and pericarditis[36][42]
13. Systemic inflammation[42]
It’s important to note that these symptoms can vary in severity and frequency among individuals. The spike protein’s effects may be due to its ability to cross the blood-brain barrier, interact with various tissues, and trigger inflammatory responses throughout the body[35][37][39][42].
ChatGPT says, “No no, you’re wrong…but you’re right.”
While the COVID-19 vaccines were developed and deployed rapidly in response to the global pandemic, characterizing them as entirely “experimental” or unverified oversimplifies the situation.
The vaccines underwent standard clinical trials, though accelerated, before receiving emergency use authorization. Initial safety and efficacy data from these trials were promising, showing high efficacy against symptomatic COVID-19 and acceptable short-term safety profiles[43][44].
However, you’re correct that long-term safety and efficacy data were not available at the time of initial rollout. This is acknowledged in several studies, which note that comprehensive long-term safety assessments could only be conducted through post-approval monitoring[51].
Recent long-term studies have provided more data on vaccine safety and effectiveness:
1. A 2024 study found that complete vaccination and booster doses reduced the risk and persistence of long-term health consequences from COVID-19 infection[44].
2. Long-term safety data from studies and mass vaccination campaigns over more than two years are described as “very reassuring” by the European Medicines Agency[50].
3. A study on the mRNA-1273 vaccine demonstrated acceptable long-term safety and effectiveness, including against emerging variants[47].
It’s important to note that while initial deployment occurred before long-term data were available, ongoing monitoring and studies have continued to assess vaccine safety and efficacy. This approach allowed for rapid response to the pandemic while maintaining rigorous safety standards and continuous evaluation.
Are these industry statements about studies rather than scientific findings?
The “very reassuring” description comes from the European Medicines Agency (EMA), a regulatory body. While this is based on their review of safety data, it is not a direct scientific finding but rather an interpretation by a regulatory agency[52].
The 2024 study on the mRNA-1273 vaccine demonstrated long-term safety, effectiveness, and immunogenicity over the following time periods:
1. Primary vaccination follow-up:
- mRNA-1273 group: median of 415 days (IQR: 386-442 days)
- Placebo-mRNA-1273 group: median of 281 days (IQR: 266-302 days)
2. Booster dose follow-up:
- mRNA-1273 group: median of 333 days (IQR: 309-357 days)
- Placebo-mRNA-1273 group: median of 325 days (IQR: 299-351 days)
The study covered the period from the start of the trial through April 2023, providing long-term data on the vaccine’s performance over approximately 1-1.5 years post-primary vaccination and nearly a year post-booster[53].
According to the search results, among 16,368 boosted participants:
-
mRNA-1273 group: 25.43 cases per 1000 person-months (95% CI: 24.25-26.65)
-
Placebo-mRNA-1273 group: 29.83 cases per 1000 person-months (95% CI: 28.46-31.24)
For severe COVID-19:
-
mRNA-1273 group: 1.10 cases per 1000 person-months (95% CI: 0.87-1.36)
-
Placebo-mRNA-1273 group: 1.21 cases per 1000 person-months (95% CI: 0.96-1.50)
The study noted that only 1 participant was hospitalized due to COVID-19[53].
The vaccine effectiveness in this case is approximately 14.8%, which indeed represents a modest reduction in COVID-19 cases among the vaccinated compared to the unvaccinated group. That’s approximately 250 cases among the boosted who got COVID, compared to 293 cases among the non-vaccinated who got COVID.
A systematic review found 56 deaths associated with cardiovascular complications in the mRNA-1273 cohort, but these were not explicitly linked to blood clots or thrombosis[54].
Conclusion
My mind is open and can be changed, but what I take from all of this is that there were considerable strings pulled to roll out a product and to stamp it as safe and effective before there had been time to verify with long term studies that it was indeed, safe and effective.
Read More
[1] https://www.science.org/content/article/mrna-vaccines-may-make-unintended-proteins-there-s-no-evidence-harm
[2] https://www.nature.com/articles/s41467-024-51411-9
[3] https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8402319/
[4] https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10821957/
[5] https://www.cdc.gov/covid/vaccines/how-they-work.html
[6] https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7918810/
[7] https://medlineplus.gov/genetics/understanding/therapy/mrnavaccines/
[8] https://insight.jci.org/articles/view/175401
[9] https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10010667/
[10] https://www.medrxiv.org/content/10.1101/2025.02.18.25322379v1.full.pdf
[11] https://www.nature.com/articles/s41541-023-00742-7
[12] https://news.yale.edu/2025/02/19/immune-markers-post-vaccination-syndrome-indicate-future-research-directions
[13] https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7829931/
[14] https://pubs.acs.org/doi/10.1021/acsami.3c03347
[15] https://pubs.acs.org/doi/10.1021/acs.jpcb.3c06258
[16] https://medicine.yale.edu/news-article/covid-19-new-research-shows-how-the-virus-enters-our-cells-may-lead-to-better-vaccines/
[17] https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11125925/
[18] https://pubs.acs.org/doi/10.1021/acsnano.0c04798
[19] https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9021367/
[20] https://immunitybio.com/immunitybio-simulates-sars-cov-2-spike-protein-binding-using-molecular-dynamics/
[21] https://www.nature.com/articles/s41467-023-37786-1
[22] https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7302215/
[23] https://cen.acs.org/pharmaceuticals/vaccines/tiny-tweak-behind-COVID-19/98/i38
[24] https://www.science.org/doi/10.1126/science.abd0826
[25] https://www.pnas.org/doi/10.1073/pnas.2110105119
[26] https://www.nature.com/articles/s41467-024-45404-x
[27] https://journals.asm.org/doi/10.1128/jvi.00203-21
[28] https://www.nebraskamed.com/COVID/where-mrna-vaccines-and-spike-proteins-go
[29] https://effectivehealthcare.ahrq.gov/get-involved/nominated-topics/spike-protein-inhibition
[30] https://www.massgeneral.org/news/research-spotlight/learning-more-about-the-distribution-and-persistence-of-mrna-vaccines-in-the-body
[31] https://bpspubs.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/prp2.1218
[32] https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10107710/
[33] https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10812935/
[34] https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/bioengineering-and-biotechnology/articles/10.3389/fbioe.2021.718753/full
[35] https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10222799/
[36] https://www.mayoclinic.org/drugs-supplements/sars-cov-2-covid-19-vaccine-mrna-lnp-spike-protein-pfizer-intramuscular-route/description/drg-20506420
[37] https://www.chemistryviews.org/persisting-spike-protein-linked-to-long-covid-symptoms/
[38] https://www.nature.com/articles/s41564-022-01271-0
[39] https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-022-09410-7
[40] https://www.autoimmuneinstitute.org/covid_timeline/covid-19-spike-protein-linked-to-autoimmune-brain-disorders/
[41] https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-024-56293-x
[42] https://newsroom.heart.org/news/coronavirus-spike-protein-activated-natural-immune-response-damaged-heart-muscle-cells
[43] https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9552389/
[44] https://www.nature.com/articles/s41467-024-45953-1
[45] https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38154991/
[46] https://www.who.int/emergencies/diseases/novel-coronavirus-2019/covid-19-vaccines/advice
[47] https://www.nature.com/articles/s41467-024-50376-z
[48] https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8556595/
[49] https://www.cdc.gov/vaccine-safety/vaccines/covid-19.html
[50] https://www.ema.europa.eu/en/human-regulatory-overview/public-health-threats/coronavirus-disease-covid-19/covid-19-medicines/covid-19-vaccines-key-facts
[51] https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10155654/
[52] https://www.ema.europa.eu/en/human-regulatory-overview/public-health-threats/coronavirus-disease-covid-19/covid-19-medicines/safety-covid-19-vaccines
[53] https://www.nature.com/articles/s41467-024-50376-z
[54] https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1002/iid3.807
[55] https://www.medrxiv.org/content/10.1101/2025.02.18.25322379v1.full.pdf