The First Doses of the COVID-19 Vaccine
After a long year of lockdowns, adhering to social distancing and CDC mask guidelines, there is light at the end of the tunnel as we ring in the new year. Individuals across the US have begun receiving the first doses of the COVID-19 vaccine. Currently, both Pfizer and Moderna’s COVID-19 vaccines are authorized and recommended to prevent COVID-19 by the CDC. The normal FDA approval process spans from months to years. Due to the urgent circumstances we are currently in- the U.S. Food and Drug Administration announced on December 18th, 2020 that they have issued an emergency use authorization (EUA) for Moderna’s vaccine to be distributed in the US to individuals 18 years or older. According to the Mayo Clinic, The Moderna vaccine has an efficacy rate of 94.1% and the vaccine requires 2 injections taken 28 days apart. FDA Commissioner Stephen M. Hahn, M.D said, “With the availability of two vaccines now for the prevention of COVID-19, the FDA has taken another crucial step in the fight against this global pandemic that is causing vast numbers of hospitalizations and deaths in the United States each day.”
Since there is no way to know how COVID-19 will affect you, relying on natural immunity is extremely risky to not only yourself but those around you. Experts recommend getting vaccinated when you have the option to because it is the safest way to develop immunity. While it would take about 90% of the population to be vaccinated to develop herd immunity, it is still worthwhile to get the vaccine. With the vaccine, if you are exposed to the COVID-19 virus, you are prepared to fight it off and your chances of complications while battling COVID greatly decrease. When exposed to a small, controlled dose your body will have a chance to recognize the virus and protect itself.
While many people are skeptical of the efficacy of the vaccine, data shows the benefits outweigh the risks and the symptoms after receiving the vaccine are comparable to the flu shot that nearly half the population received this year. These symptoms include:
- Pain, redness or swelling where the shot was given
- Fever
- Fatigue
- Headache
- Muscle pain
- Chills
- Joint Pain
The vaccine, administered as a series of two doses, one month apart will provide the most protection against the virus. Based on the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices the vaccine will first be given to nearly all health care workers and residents of long-term care homes as they are the most susceptible to COVID-19. According to the CDC, CNN, reports More than 240,000 health care workers have been infected with coronavirus and nearly 900 have died. Essential workers and individuals over 65 are expected to be next to receive the vaccine.
Just as we end out the new year we have reached a record number of hospitalizations. On December 30th it was reported that 125,220 people were hospitalized and it also marked the 29th day in a row the US has seen above 100,000 hospitalizations. The vaccination rate is slower than expected due to vaccination systems still gearing up, federal funding that hasn’t yet been disbursed to states and a requirement that states set aside vaccines for long-term-care facilities according to USA TODAY. While the vaccine has been slow to roll out, Dr. Faucci hopes that if we “diligently vaccinate” people in 2021, the nation could return to normal life by early fall. For more statistical information on the COVID vaccine please visit the CDC COVID Data Tracker.
The PharmaOut team remains committed to doing our part to fight COVID-19 and help keep our families safe. Our team of expert recruiters and consultants have years of experience to assist our clients in successfully continuing their business with our staffing, consulting, HR and investigator meeting services. Please contact us if you would like to discuss how PharmaOut can be your strategic partner.