The Middletown Press (Middletown, CT)
⏩ It’s your health: COVID vaccine is dose of hope for future,
MIDDETOWN — Happy New Year to all, and may 2021 bring everyone good health and happiness! Unfortunately, many have experienced more disruption, challenges, and sadness in 2020 than could have been predicted.
Back in March, I never thought that the first column of 2021 would be about COVID-19. The good news, as we begin the new year, is that distribution and administration of the COVID-19 vaccine have begun, and there is hope that the vaccination will be a passport to better health for all.
According to the World Health Organization, immunization through vaccination is the safest way to protect against disease. Currently, vaccination prevents 2 million to 3 million deaths ever year from diseases like diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis, influenza and measles.
This column is intended to help answer questions the community may have regarding the COVID-19 vaccine. Ann Spenard, chief clinical officer at National Health Care Associates, expertly answers some of the most frequently asked questions.
As with any vaccination, if you have a chronic medical condition, health issue, or any concerns or questions, please consult with your physician.
Laura Falt: Don’t vaccines take many years to develop?
Ann Spenard: The FDA is not cutting any corners and is following strict guidelines. You can read all about these guidelines at fda.gov. All of the study results are reviewed carefully before authorization for use.
LF: What are the side effects of the vaccine?
AS: The side effects of the COVID-19 vaccine are mild to moderate. They include pain and potential redness at the injection site. A lesser number of people experienced headaches, muscle aches, and joint pain for a few days. Few people had fever and chills that also passed in a few days.
LF: Would taking the
vaccine give me COVID-19?
AS: No. The COVID-19 vaccines are messenger RNA (mRNA) vaccines. The mRNA vaccine has instructions for making one particular coronavirus protein. That protein kicks off an
immune response as if there was a real coronavirus infection. However, because there is only one protein, there’s no way the vaccine could infect someone or make them sick with COVID-19.
If an immunized person is
exposed to COVID-19, their body’s immune response will be able to fight it off more easily, and they are more likely to avoid serious illness. LF: Are vaccines safe? AS: Vaccines are very safe. While some believe vaccines can cause issues, there have been many studies and millions of dollars spent proving that vaccines are safe.
LF: Are there toxic ingredients in the vaccine?
AS: No, there are no toxic ingredients in vaccines. The FDA ensures that vaccines are pure and sterile, and they monitor this on an ongoing basis requiring test batches.
LF: Do I still need to get vaccinated if I already had COVID-19 and recovered?
AS: Yes, you still need the vaccine as long as it has been two weeks since you had COVID-19.
LF: Do we know anything about the long-term effects?
AS: Vaccines are given to millions of healthy people, including children every year.
LF: Is natural immunity the healthier option?
AS: The COVID-19 virus is a novel virus that humans have never been exposed to, so we have no natural immunity.