5 THINGS TO KNOW ABOUT THE US COVID-19 VACCINATION PROGRAM The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) changed all our plans in 2020. Many of us have stories of our family, friends and colleagues contracting the virus. Some of us have personal stories of contracting the virus ourselves. Following the announcements of the Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) of two COVID-19 vaccines by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), many people began to see the light at the end of the tunnel. On December 11, 2020, the first vaccine for the prevention of COVID-19 developed by Pfizer, Inc. was authorized by the FDA. On December 18, 2020, the second vaccine for the prevention of COVID-19, developed by ModernaTX, Inc. was authorized as well. With the announcement of these new vaccines and implementation of the U.S. COVID-19 Vaccination Program, many people are left with questions about the COVID-19 vaccine and the facts surrounding it.
COVID-19 has affected millions of people globally COVID-19 has wrecked havoc on millions of people globally, warranting the need for the research, production, and development of a vaccine. On a global scale, there has been more than 77.9 million COVID-19 cases and more than 1.7 million deaths from COVID-19, as of December 16, 2020 (New York Times, 2020). While opponents of vaccinations may argue against receiving a COVID-19 vaccine for a myriad of reasons, the fact that we must do something is irrefutable. Vaccines, in general, train our immune systems to create proteins that fight disease, known as “antibodies”, just as would happen when we are exposed to a disease but crucially- vaccines work without making us sick.
COVID-19 vaccines will not give you COVID-19 One of the common myths surrounding the COVID-19 vaccines is that they will give you COVID-19. This is completely a myth. A wealth of research has been done on the topic and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has declared that the recently authorized and recommended vaccines nor the other COVID-19 vaccines currently in clinical trials in the United States cause you to test positive on viral tests, which are used to see if you have a current infection. However, if your body develops an immune response, which is the goal of vaccination, there is a possibility you may test positive on some antibody tests. Antibody tests indicate you had a previous infection and that you may have some level of protection against the virus. Experts are currently looking at how COVID-19 vaccination may affect antibody testing results.
The Elderly and people with underlying medical conditions should strongly consider getting the vaccine. Honestly, everyone should strongly consider getting the COVID-19 vaccine but those who are elderly or dealing with underlying medical conditions, such as Diabetes or Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV), should make it a priority to meet with their primary care provider (PCP) to discuss whether getting vaccinated against COVID-19 is right for them. Individuals with underlying medical conditions or those with compromised immune systems are at an increased risk for contracting COVID-19 and experiencing the most severe complications of the virus such as shortness of breath or difficulty breathing. Getting the vaccine could be the first step to ending this global pandemic.
Herd immunity is our last hope in the fight against COVID-19
