PHASE 2: The Distribution Exploring the success and opinions surrounding the first wave distribution of the COVID-19 vaccine BY DEVIN GUPTA AND JANNAH SHERIFF
PHOTO COURTESY OF JESSICA RIDGWAY | USED WITH PERMISSION
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VHS alumna Gianna John, ‘19, works an eight hour shift as a ward clerk at UC Riverside hospital. She begins every third day at the COVID-19 screening facility, later interacting with around 12 high-risk patients daily, each within close caretaking proximity. According to the Kaiser Family Foundation, over 300,000 nurses across California take care of patients on the frontlines just like John and all are at risk of contracting COVID-19. Once Pfizer announced that its vaccine was ready for distribution on Dec. 11, California began vaccinating nurses and essential workers on Dec. 14. In the state’s vaccination plan, Phase 1a provides vaccinations to “healthcare workers and long-term
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EL ESTOQUE | FEBRUARY 2021
care residents” while the following ages 16 or older, will be eligible to step, Phase 1b tier one, allows for receive vaccinations later in the spring individuals 65 or older as well as within the normal distribution phase. professionals at Yet while risk of exposure in many are specific industries eager to to receive their receive the vaccinations. vaccine, John Students with describes severe health caretaking conditions who d u r i n g of MVHS students personally know someone who has are 16 or older are COVID-19 as received the vaccine eligible to receive simply “scary.” the Pfizer and Due to the * According to a survey of 199 students BioNTech vaccine pandemic, during Phase many normal 1c. According to h o s p i ta l California’s COVID-19 data portal, procedures have been modified to covid19.ca.gov, researchers predict ensure safety by isolating patients that the general student population, and staff. Because John works in a
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