With cases soaring around the world and states beginning to move toward lockdown again, this pandemic seems to be never-ending. However, there may be a light at the end of the tunnel with a new coronavirus vaccine heading our way.
Margaret Keenan, a 91-year-old U.K. grandmother was the first person to receive the vaccine. This was the first of 800,000 doses of the Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine to be deployed in the next coming months in the U.K. Here in the United States, the FDA emergency authorized the vaccine on Friday, Dec. 11, making us the sixth country to clear the vaccine. About 2.9 million doses of the vaccine will begin making its way throughout the United States from Pfizer locations to its designated destinations. The first doses of the vaccine are expected to be administered to high-risk health care workers first.
With the vaccine becoming a reality, will all Americans be willing to receive it? Some may feel as if they still do not know enough about the vaccine and its efficacy. VALLEY is here with the latest vaccine updates, as well as some people’s opinions on how they feel about the vaccine.
First, as with any vaccine out there, the coronavirus vaccine does have the potential to cause medical complications and serious side effects. However, everyone is different and there really is no way of knowing how the vaccine will affect you.
The FDA has now emergency authorized the Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine. Data shows that the vaccine actually starts to work after the first dose and has an effectiveness rate of 95%— just seven days after the second dose. Therefore, 95% of people who get the vaccine should be protected from getting seriously ill from COVID-19. This particular vaccine needs two separate injections administered 21 days apart.
The Moderna vaccine is also on the verge of approval. The firm has submitted its vaccine to the FDA for consideration. The FDA is scheduled to meet and review Moderna’s vaccine trial data on Dec.17. During this meeting, they will debate and determine if the vaccine is safe for the American public.
But what do people actually think when it comes to receiving the COVID-19 vaccine?
“As a nursing student and healthcare worker, I fully recognize the importance and validity of vaccinations in general,” said Penn State junior Alexandra Schrank. “I trust the COVID-19 vaccine because it has very few adverse effects so far. I definitely plan on getting it as soon as it is available to me.”
For some, the reward of immunity fully outweighs the risk of the virus.
“I understand the fear some people have around taking the COVID-19 vaccine because it is still surrounded by mystery,” said Penn State junior Allie Cline. “I plan to get vaccinated as soon as the CDC allows me to. I am more afraid of the already known effects of the virus than the potential effects of a vaccine.”
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