By Isabella
4 facts about coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19) vaccines
COVID-19 vaccines are being carefully evaluated in clinical trials and will be authorized or approved only if they make it substantially less likely you’ll get COVID-19.
Based on what we know about vaccines for other diseases, experts believe that getting a COVID-19 vaccine may help keep you from getting seriously ill even if you do get COVID-19.
Getting vaccinated yourself may also protect people around you, particularly people at increased risk for severe illness from COVID-19.
Experts continue to conduct more studies about the effect of COVID-19 vaccination on severity of illness from COVID-19, as well as its ability to keep people from spreading the virus.
Why getting a COVID-19 vaccination is beneficial
You will be immune to the virus without needing to get sick first. People who get the virus will be immune to it when they get better (if they get better), but the risk is you might die. Experts also don’t know how long immunity lasts from getting the virus. Another thing is the risks of getting severely ill or dying outweighs the benefits of immunity. If you get a vaccine, you will get immunity to COVID-19 without needing to get sick first and experts will also have a better idea of how long the vaccine will last.
You will help stop the spread of COVID-19. If you get the virus you can still pass it on, but if enough people are immunized in one place, the virus will have nowhere to go, and it will die off in that area. When enough people are immune to it, the virus will be considered “cured” in that region. When the whole world has been vaccinated, the virus will leave the last person with nowhere to go. Then, it will be considered eradicated (destroyed completely).
Even if you don’t like getting shots, the COVID-19 vaccine probably won’t hurt too bad. Yes, it does require two shots, not one, but getting two shots is better than getting the virus and possibly dying. The technology behind shots is getting more and more advanced, and as it advances, it becomes a quicker and more effective way to get a shot, and shots are also becoming less painful. If I were you, I wouldn’t worry about it too much.
Pfizer and BioNTech’s BNT162b2 Vaccine
These two companies, Pfizer and BioNTech have created a COVID-19 vaccine together. The vaccine, when tested, was effective more than 90% of the time. “Today is a great day for science and humanity. The first set of results from our Phase 3 COVID-19 vaccine trial provides the initial evidence of our vaccine’s ability to prevent COVID-19,” said Dr. Albert Bourla, Pfizer Chairman and CEO. “We are reaching this critical milestone in our vaccine development program at a time when the world needs it most with infection rates setting new records, hospitals nearing over-capacity and economies struggling to reopen. With today’s news, we are a significant step closer to providing people around the world with a much-needed breakthrough to help bring an end to this global health crisis. We look forward to sharing additional efficacy and safety data generated from thousands of participants in the coming weeks.” Basically, what this means is the BNT162b2 vaccine is effective enough to be distributed to the general public.
Pfizer and BioNTech’s vaccine aren’t the only vaccines being developed. There are over 100 vaccines in different stages of production, testing and researching. I’m only including Pfizer and BioNTech’s vaccine, because it’s one of the vaccines furthest along in the research, testing, production and distribution process. In fact, it has even been approved for usage in the UK (United Kingdom).
What vaccines are made of and why they are important
The vaccines are made using a synthetic messenger ribonucleic acid, or mRNA, that contains information about the coronavirus’s signature spike protein. When injected into the body, it provides the immune system a preview of what the threat looks like and allows it to prepare the antibodies needed to neutralize the virus if, or when, a person gets infected. This is different from traditional vaccines, which train the immune system by injecting weakened viruses into the body that cannot reproduce (or replicate) themselves very effectively.
Right now, since in the US, we still don’t have a vaccine approved, your mask is your best protection. But it isn’t enough. All your mask does is prevent COVID-19 from getting into your body. But, if someone with COVID-19 gets their germs on your mask and then you touch your mask where that person’s germs are, if your hand makes it into your nose, mouth or eyes, you will now have the virus. With a vaccine, the cells in your bloodstream will recognize the proteins in the virus and prepare the antibodies necessary to neutralize the virus. You also won’t need to worry about getting sick from the virus with a vaccine.
Have any vaccines been distributed yet and who gets them first?
The BNT162b2 vaccine has been distributed in the UK to some of the elderly. 90 year old Margret Keenan was the first person in the UK to get a COVID-19 vaccine. The UK is one of the first countries to begin distributing vaccines to the public. “I feel so privileged,” she said. “It’s the best early birthday present I could wish for because I can finally look forward to spending time with my family and friends in the New Year after being on my own for most of the year.”
The second person in the UK to receive a vaccine was 81 year old William Shakespeare. “No, no, not nervous at all,” said Shakespeare, who lives in Warwickshire. “I’m very apprehensive about the side effects ... but there’s a small chance of that.”
The vaccine is now available to front line workers (doctors, nurses, midwives, paramedics, social workers, journalists, those working in the justice system, religious staff, charity staff, local and national government workers, police, Ministry of Defense civilians, armed forces, fire service employees, security, prison and probation staff, transportation staff, workers needed for essential finance provisions, telecommunications, oil, gas or electricity suppliers, postal and delivery services, waste disposal and more) and people over the age of 80.
So, now you know some more about the COVID-19 vaccine. If you are given the chance to have a vaccine, take your chance. It is the best way you can stay safe. Even after you are given a vaccine, you should still continue to social distance and wear your mask. Stay safe and healthy!