New Year, New Vaccines, New Hope
Merry (belated) Christmas, and an even happier New Year! 2020 has definitely been tumultuous – and even downright-scary – and you’re probably a little bit relieved that this crazy year is finally coming to a close. Even better, an end to the pandemic is finally in-sight: two COVID-19 vaccines have been approved and are currently being administered to essential workers and residents in long-term care facilities all over the United States.
There is, understandably, quite a bit of uncertainty surrounding the development, safety, and distribution of these vaccines. Read on to find the answers to some commonly asked questions, as well as resources you can use for further research!
How do the vaccines work? Are they safe to use?
Long story short, yes. While they were approved relatively quickly, it is important to remember that the scientists involved in the development of the vaccines devoted virtually all of their time, resources, and energy to the project. The vaccines were in no way rushed, they were simply prioritized!
However, the question of how they work is slightly more complicated.
The virus that causes COVID-19 has a special protein on its surface that allows it to enter the cells of your body. The protein by itself is harmless – but without it, the virus cannot infect you. Like every other protein in your body, it is synthesized using a type of molecule called mRNA.
Both the Pfizer/BioNTech and Moderna vaccines contain the instructions to form this protein, which your cells then start using. Remember, the protein does not cause any sort of infection! However, it is still considered a “foreign body,” so when your immune system – responsible for combatting disease and infection – sees it being produced, it immediately launches an attack against it.
The protein will, eventually, be destroyed by your body the same way it fights off a cold or flu. In the process, your immune system will remember the protein’s structure and features, so if the actual virus – with this protein on its surface – attempts to infect you, your body will already have the resources to stop it before it can cause any damage.
Basically, the vaccines will allow your immune system to develop a course of action to fight the virus without actually being infected with the virus! You can read more about how they work here, and this Twitter thread may also help explain the process.
Who gets priority for vaccination? When will I be eligible for it?
Currently, only “high-priority” groups are eligible for vaccination, including frontline/healthcare workers and residents of long-term care facilities.
Eligibility will be determined by your risk of contracting the virus, and there is hope that most of the general population will be able to get vaccinated by Spring or Summer of 2021!
This timeline may be changed as more information becomes available or more vaccines become approved for use. WUSA9 has more information on the vaccine rollout in the DMV area here.
What should I expect after the shot? Are there side-effects?
Those who have been vaccinated have reported mild pain and swelling in the arm with the injection, as well as possible flu-like symptoms such as head and body aches, fatigue, or chills, all of which resolve within 1-2 days of vaccine administration.
Remember, these side-effects are caused by your body’s immune response to the foreign protein – they mean the vaccine is working! Read more about what to expect from the shot here, and you can find more information on the specific vaccines here (Moderna) and here (Pfizer).
What is the vaccination process like?
Both vaccines require two separate doses to be properly effective. It is important that you get the second short at the correct time; otherwise, it is unknown if you’ll gain the expected immunity. In between doses, make sure you’re still taking precautions such as wearing a mask and social-distancing.
However, it is likely that you can still transmit COVID-19 even after vaccination, even if you won’t get sick from it anymore. Therefore, the safest route would be to continue to follow the safety and public-health guidelines in your area.
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MD COVIDSitters would like to thank all the essential workers for everything they have done to keep us safe and healthy over the past nine months. MDCS is dedicated to helping the families of essential workers in the DMV Area during the pandemic by offering a variety of free, volunteer-run programs, including online art, dance, and exercise classes! They also provide childcare, pet-sitting, grocery, and errand services, and all volunteers are required to pass a background check and childcare program developed by the Minnesota Department of Health before starting, making them an incredibly safe and reliable organization.
Learn more about MD COVIDsitters and sign up for their services here.
Sources:
https://www.chop.edu/centers-programs/vaccine-education-center/making-vaccines/prevent-covid
https://twitter.com/WheatNOil/status/1339624815137722368
https://abc7chicago.com/covid-19-vaccine-ready-covid-process/8673439/
https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/need-extra-precautions/index.html
https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/vaccines/expect/after.html
https://www.nytimes.com/2020/12/08/health/covid-vaccine-mask.html
