Vaccine rolls out
With the rollout and distribution of the PfizerBioNTech and Moderna COVIDI-19 vaccines in the last few weeks, there finally is the beginning of the end in sight, signifying hope amidst this difficult year.
The development of these vaccines is a remarkable accomplishment as scientists and vaccine manufacturers worked round the clock to ensure they are safe and effective, htus paving the path to widespread immunizations.
How safe are these vaccines?
The vaccines have undergone multiple clinical trials, and both PfizerBioNTech and Moderna vaccines revealed to be about 94-95% effective. After poring over the results of the studies, a national group of vaccine experts recommended that the US Food and Drug Administration grant Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) to both the Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna vaccines, deeming them safe and effective.
The State of California also set up a separate Scientific Safety Review Work Group to review the studies and federal recommendations, and ensure that both vaccines meet safety requirements. Vaccine safety monitoring systems are also put in place to watch out for possible side effects that were not observed in clinical trials.
How do the vaccines work?
Both the Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna vaccines use messenger mRNA. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), mRNA vaccines are a new type of vaccines that give instructions to our cells to make a harmless piece of a protein that is found on the surface of the virus that causes COVID-19. Once the instructions (mRNA) are injected in the upper arm, the muscle cells translate them to make the protein piece in the body.
When the cells display the protein piece on its surface, our immune system recognizes the protein and begins building an immune response in making antibodies, just like what happens when we have a natural infection of COVID-19. At the end of the process, our bodies have learned how to protect against future infection.
How are the vaccines administered?
Two doses are administered three or four weeks after the first dose, with some benefits on the first shot, and maximum benefits two weeks after the second shot. There may be some side effects, which are normal signs that the body is building protection against COVID-19.
The side effects may feel like flu, but should go away in a few days. Common side effects include pain and swelling on the arm, as well as fever, chills, tiredness and headache throughout the rest of the body. People with severe allergies to any other vaccine or injectable may receive the vaccine, but should speak with their health care provider first about weighing the risks of an allergic reaction with the benefits of receiving the vaccine.
Who is prioritized for the vaccines?
Because the vaccines are currently on limited supply, and the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices have recommended that healthcare workers and longterm care facility staff and residents get the vaccine first. The committee recommended that older adults over 75 years old, and non-health care frontline essential workers be on the next phase.
It may take until late spring or summer for the vaccines to be rolled out to the general public. While we wait for our turn to get vaccinated, we need to continue to remain vigilant in curbing the spread of coronavirus — continue to wear a mask, keep physical distance, limit gatherings with other households as much as possible, and stay home when sick and do all that we can to keep ourselves, our loved ones and our community safe from COVID-19.
Shai Davis is a health educator at Solano Public Health.