The coronavirus pandemic has in the year 2020 brought the world to its knees. The infection rates left many people mourning the loss of their friends and close family members. It also left many people jobless because of the regulations to curb the infection rate. It leaves most people asking whether the world will recover and go back to business as usual soon. Now that authorization for the COVID-19 vaccine has been approved in many countries, there are still questions regarding the vaccine that most people are asking. Below are several points about the vaccine.
What Vaccines Were Authorized?
Earlier last month, there were two vaccines made official by the FDA under the emergency use authorization. One was Pfizer’s biotech vaccine, which was authorized for use by people sixteen years or older. The other was the Moderna vaccine. They only approved the vaccines for emergency use while they remain under study.
How Do The Vaccines Prevent COVID-19 Infection?
The coronavirus vaccines were being engineered to lower the infection rate for people who contract the virus. The latter mentioned vaccines have shown over ninety-five percent efficiency in a study conducted by the FDA and CDC. This, at least, brings hope to the world as a step to things going back to normal. The vaccines have shown their efficiency across several age groups, ethnicities, and sexes, a significant leap in the medical community.
Vaccine’s Side Effects
Although each vaccine’s safety is tested in several phases and proven ninety-five efficient, the vaccines don’t come without some side effects. The FDA and CDC say it’s perfectly normal, but if a person experiences severe side effects, they should not proceed with a second dose. The side effects last an average of twenty-four to forty-eight hours, where some people’s experiences are severe compared to others. The following are the known side effect of Pfizer’s and Moderna vaccines;
- nausea
- swollen lymph nodes
- fever
- fatigue
- muscle pain
- joint pains
- feeling unwell
- chills
- headaches
- pain and swelling or redness at the injection point
How Long Will The Vaccine Last?
Although the vaccines are effective, they don’t seem to last long enough. The vaccine’s developers are on a day-to-day mission to improve the vaccines’ effectiveness to make them long term. Several people who already have received their first vaccination have already or almost looking forward to receiving their second dose.
Will A Mask Be Necessary After Vaccination?
A ninety-five percent effectiveness doesn’t guarantee full protection. Thus wearing a mask is still necessary. Studies are also underway seeking to find whether a vaccinated person can be a carrier of the virus and transmit it to others. This uncertainty is a significant reason why wearing a mask is still necessary to minimize infection rates.
Can The Vaccine Work If I Tested positive?
The coronavirus is a new pandemic and is yet to be understood as scientists continue discovering additional features of the virus not known before. Those that have recovered from the pandemic are certain to have a strong immune system and having the vaccine is an added advantage.
Is It Okay For Pregnant/Breastfeeding Women?
Pfizer and Moderna both accept not including pregnant women in their trial phases, thus not known whether any substantial harm can happen. Although Moderna’s test with lab rats have been submitted to the FDA showing no adverse effects, Pfizer is yet to submit their data. The CDC released a statement saying that it is upon a pregnant person to decide whether to take the vaccine. Complete tests are yet to be submitted to the FDA, declaring the vaccine safe for pregnant women.
Cost For The Vaccination And Availability
The U.S. government has already rolled out a large share of the vaccination across the country. It is already available in long-term care homes, military centers, nursing homes, and hospitals. The government has also said that the vaccine is free-for-all US citizens.
- The CARES Act, passed this spring, requires back up plans and Medicare to cover preventive administrations 15 days after a suggestion from the CDC’s antibody warning board of trustees.
- A few safety net providers, including Aetna and specific Blue Cross Blue Shield plans, reported that they won’t charge patients for the vaccine or its organization.
- States should completely take care of the vaccination’s expense and its organization for Medicaid enrollees.
- Wellbeing suppliers who inoculate uninsured individuals can apply for repayment through a government supplier alleviation reserve.
