There are basically two kinds of vaccines in use at the moment. The are based both on gene modification and antibodies. So back in the old days, vaccines were made with weakened viruses. These were injected into people and they would induce an immune reaction, part of which is making antibodies. The problem is that this technique was difficult and dangerous. So now they have some better techniques. The vector vaccines like Astrazeneca put a small section of the virus genetics (RNA) into another harmless virus like a chimpanzee cold virus. This carrier virus then injects the coronavirus RNA into cells which then causes the body to create an immune response. The Pfizer and Moderna use a more fancy way of delivering the corona RNA but basically it achieves the same result.

So the gene manipulation has to do with the viruses, not our genes. The part of the corona RNA that gets injected is only the part that coats for its outside shape so antibodies can be made to stop them. The bad part of the virus is of course not included in the vaccine. 

Not sure what this has to do with allergic reactions to viruses or spring rolls. An allergic reaction is when your immune system responds to something it shouldn't, like food or dog hairs or pollen. That is why you get symptoms of being sick. Your body is supposed to react to invading viruses. That is not an allergic reaction but rather a healthy immune system.

It's funny, and sad, how people recognise a description of RNA and remember there's an association with DNA and somehow reach the conclusion that we're in danger of messing with our genetics. As if the scientists that create the virus aren't very well aware of genetics. It's like people who point out that the sun cycles affect the climate and jump to the conclusion that blaming CO2 is all wrong, as if climate scientists are somehow oblivious to the effects of sun cycles or for some reason don't take that into account.

Maybe it was the monosodium glutamate in the spring roll that caused the reaction? I don't know how that works, as glutamic acid is one of the 22 amino acids we all have as part of our proteins. It's ubiquitous. But monosodium glutamate causes some people to have unpleasant responses and it's very commonly added to Chinese food.

oh god, I know I'm sounding stupid.   but I really don't know a dna from an rna but I was hoping to hear that the vaccines are okay to take.  I know how horrible it is when your system boils over at contact with a toxin.  something I wouldn't know if I hadn't eaten the Chinese spring roll which is such a little thing to do and no more than taking an injection.  actually it's hitting home, both you and Dan seem to understand and okay with it, very reassuring.  I will go back to snooze...  well I'd like to know what rna is, not rhinoceros dna I expect.