After more than a year of lockdowns, the country is finally getting back to normal, thanks to the COVID-19 vaccine. Businesses are re-opening and people are reuniting with their family members again.
While it’s clear the vaccine is paving the way back to normalcy, there are still many people who have reservations about getting it. Before getting your COVID-19 vaccine at Fetter Health Care Network, get the answers to common questions and concerns below.
How Was the COVID-19 Vaccine Made?
When the COVID-19 outbreak began in early 2020, vaccine manufacturers received emergency funding to begin rapid vaccine development. While vaccines typically take about two years to develop, the COVID vaccine was finished in six months, undergoing expedited safety and efficacy trials.
Thanks to decades of research on the human genome and viruses like SARS, scientists were able to create the spike proteins that the coronavirus uses to break into cells. These spike proteins are a key ingredient in the COVID-19 vaccine.
Administered through vaccination, these proteins induce an immune response that defends an individual against COVID-19.
Does It Protect Me from Getting COVID-19?
The Pfizer and Moderna vaccines are shown to be about 95% effective at preventing COVID-19, while the Johnson & Johnson vaccine is about 66% effective at preventing COVID-19 infections.
In the unlikely event that you contract COVID after receiving the vaccine, all three variations will reduce the severity of symptoms. This has decreased nationwide COVID-related hospitalizations and mortality rates.
Does the Vaccine Prevent Me from Spreading COVID-19?
Yes, all three vaccines can reduce the spread of COVID-19. Getting the COVID-19 vaccine will significantly reduce the likelihood of spreading the virus to vulnerable or immunocompromised people. For this reason, it is recommended you receive the vaccine before being around vulnerable loved ones.
Is the COVID-19 Vaccine Safe?
The biggest concern that many people have about the COVID-19 vaccine is its safety. While the vaccine was manufactured using an expedited development process, it received all of the same required safety trials that any other vaccine would.
Since its initial rollout to the public, there has been a low incidence of serious vaccine reactions. There have been some cases of myocarditis in younger individuals, which are currently being investigated. Otherwise, the vaccines are believed to be extremely safe for the majority of the public.
Some people may feel mildly ill with headache or fatigue for a day after receiving their vaccine, but very few people have reported severe illness due to the vaccination.
It is worth noting that some people may have adverse reactions to any kind of vaccination due to underlying medical issues. If you have pre-existing conditions that increase your likelihood of an adverse reaction, discuss vaccination with your doctor beforehand.
COVID-19 Vaccines at Fetter Health Care Network
Fetter Health Care Network is currently offering the Johnson & Johnson, Pfizer, and Moderna COVID-19 vaccines at various clinics throughout the Lowcountry area. To receive more info, visit www.FetterCovid19Screening.org.