Should I get the COVID19 Vaccine?

Tis the season for vaccines! We’ve had our annual flu vaccine so far and now the new COVID19 vaccines are becoming available in the US! There are so many mixed feelings going on here. It’s exciting and scary all at the same time. Finally there is hope at the end of this long tunnel. But should you get the COVID19 vaccine when it’s available to you?

Currently the vaccines have been approved for emergency use. For now the priority of those getting the vaccine are healthcare workers, long term care facility workers and residents at high risk. But hopefully it will be available to the general public in the coming months.

There are still a lot of unknown factors at play and no one has all of the answers. It’s still so new. I’m going to go over the facts that we have so far and what we know about the COVID19 vaccines. By gathering as much information as you can, hopefully it can help you make the best choice for yourself!

The information I’m going to review with you comes from different sources which I will cite and provide links. Some of it can be pretty daunting overwhelming. Also, it’s the media so it’s all pretty politically sided too. I’m hoping I can help weed out the facts for you!

I’ve Heard There Are 2 Vaccines, Who made them?

Yes! There are 2 vaccines, each produced by a different pharmaceutical company. One is called Moderna and the other one is Pfizer. Who are these companies?

Moderna is a newer pharmaceutical company founded in 2010 in Cambridge, Massachusetts. They have largely been researching and producing heart disease drugs and cancer drugs. They are partnered up with companies like Lonza, AstraZeneca, Merck, Vertex, BARDA, DARPA and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. You can find a full list on their website at www.modernatx.com.

Pfizer is one of the top 10 largest pharmaceutical companies in the US. They were founded way back in 1849 in Brooklyn, NY. So they have been around for a while! In fact they were the largest producer of penicillin in the World when it came out in 1944. They pretty much produce every category of medication you can think of. If you have taken a prescribed medication, there is a large chance it was produced by Pfizer. They have a ton of partners such as BioNTech, BioDuro, Biogen, and Neufluidics just to name a few. You can find the full list of their partners on their website at www. pfizer.com.

What’s the difference between the 2 vaccines?

Honestly, there aren’t a lot of differences between the 2 vaccines. They are both 95% effective and both use similar processes. They use the same molecule in your body to synthesize or blend particular proteins. These proteins are already produced in your body to target and help fight the proteins found in the COVID19 virus. The molecule used in this process is called mRNA or Messenger ribonucleuc acid. So if you see the acronym mRNA used a lot when you research the vaccine, now you know the process.

In the table below are the main differences in the vaccine. Hopefully it will help lay it out for you. But essentially there is very little difference and both had similar trials and are approved by the FDA for use.

Both vaccines went through 3 phases of testing before getting approved by the FDA to administer to the public. Both vaccine trials resulted in 95% effective rate.

Moderna’s phase 3 testing had 30,000 participants over a 60 day period. Half were given the phase 3 vaccine, the other half were not. The half that were not given the vaccine were considered the “control” group. Having a control group helps prove that the vaccine worked. You can find more specific information on their study on their website in their Press Release section.

Pfizer’s phase 3 testing had 43,000 participants a little over a 60 day period. Half were given the vaccine and the other half were the control group. You can find their case study results on their website at pfizer.com or by clicking HERE for the specific study.

Do I have to still wear a mask and social distance once I get the vaccine?

YES!!!! First of all, no matter what vaccine you get, there is still a risk. Same holds true with the flu vaccine. The flu vaccine protects you but it doesn’t guarantee you won’t get the flu.

Also, unlike the flu vaccine, the COVID19 vaccines require 2 different doses 20+ days a part. The 95% effective rate doesn’t start until 14 days AFTER your second dose is given. So just because you get the first dose, doesn’t mean it’s automatically effective. And just because you get the second dose, doesn’t mean you are invincible!

At the end of the day there are still a lot of unknowns. The virus has not been around long enough for us to know everything about it and to plan for all possibilities. Viruses can mutate, things change. Also, Scientists and Healthcare professionals are NOT God. They are still limited.

Medications and vaccines for viruses and other infections were developed over years. However, this pandemic has wreaked havoc across the world and we are in unprecedented times. We are looking for relief and this is an emergency.

Who should not get the COVID19 Vaccine?

Because there are still unknown factors with the vaccine and the virus in general, precautions should still be taken. There are categories of people who should not get the vaccine as advised by the FDA and CDC.

You should not get the vaccine if you meet any of the criteria below:

• If you have had a severe allergic reaction after a previous dose of this vaccine
• If you have had a severe allergic reaction to any ingredient of this vaccine

You may want to consider not getting the vaccine if you meet the criteria below as well. These are factors that are still unknown about the vaccine and you may want to discuss this with your healthcare provider.

• have any allergies
• have a fever
• have a bleeding disorder or are on a blood thinner
• are immunocompromised or are on a medicine that affects your immune system
• are pregnant or plan to become pregnant
• are breastfeeding

You can find more in depth information on the fact sheets provided by the CDC: Moderna COVID19 Vaccine Fact Sheet. AND the Pfizer COVID19 Vaccine Fact Sheet.

The Bottom Line

In Conclusion, deciding whether or not to get the COVID19 Vaccine is a personal decision. There are still a lot of unknown factors about both the virus and the vaccine. However, this virus has taken a toll on all of us: physically, mentally, socially, emotionally, and financially. Although there is still a risk, these vaccines may provide a small light at the end of this long tunnel. It’s important that you gather as much information as you can to determine if getting either vaccine is right for you or your family. You shouldn’t be shamed regardless if you decide to get it or not.

If you are currently caring for someone with COVID19, check out the post “The Secret to Caregiving for Someone with COVID19” to get tips!