Through the rapid rollout of vaccines, over 150 million Americans already have at least the first shot of the COVID vaccine, bringing hope to a nation grappling with turbulent times.
There are a couple of different types of COVID vaccines. These vaccines are assembled and distributed through billions of dollars being paid to the hard working scientists and social workers. Thanks to them, everyone can finally be vaccinated and rest assured that loved ones are a little bit safer. Currently, Pfizer-BioNTech, Moderna, and the Johnson & Johnson/Janssen vaccines are being distributed to American citizens. There is no “best COVID vaccine” other than the first vaccine available to you. Each vaccine is safe, effective and dramatically reduces the risk of severe illness. The CDC does not recommend one vaccine over another. Pfizer-BioNTech is administered to people who are 12 years and older and 2 shots will be given 3 weeks (21 days) apart. Moderna is only administered to people 18 years and older and 2 shots are administered just like Pfizer, only they’re given 4 weeks (28 days) apart. Johnson & Johnson’s Janssen vaccine is also administered to people over the age of 18, but unlike the other two, it is fully administered in one single shot. Just like all other shots, everyone is in the clear after 2 weeks of receiving it.
The FDA just recently announced that the Pfizer-BioNTech Covid-19 vaccine is now authorized for children 12-15, allowing another significant portion of the population to get vaccinated.
It is important to realize that the COVID-19 vaccines do not make people invincible. Not all areas mandate masks anymore, but in places that do, students should still wear them whether they are vaccinated or not. Regardless, it is still highly recommended to get vaccinated. According to the CDC, these vaccines are safe and effective and are evidently a necessary thing if students want society back to some normalcy.
Getting vaccine appointments is now easier than ever, as the United States has a surplus being distributed across the country. Vaccines are located at health departments, hospitals, grocery stores, and retail pharmacies. To make an appointment, students can go to the websites to find different places that offer vaccines. It is recommended that students seek out the vaccine that is closest to them and available at their time. There are multiple walk-in vaccine stations that will vaccinate people on the spot as well (including M&T Bank Stadium).
There are some side effects that can come along with getting vaccinated, and it is common for people to feel ill after getting the second dose, regardless of the brand. Side effects may include the following: headaches, fatigue, aches, chills, and mild fevers. Because of these symptoms occurring, it is best to take the day off and relax.
Even if vaccinated, it is still important to abide by the guidelines such as wearing masks, washing your hands, etc.. Everybody has been reacting to this pandemic differently. These new Covid-19 vaccines were forged by hard work hours from scientists and researchers every day for several months, and many more months of planning to get them distributed effectively to 328.2 million Americans.