COVID-19 Vaccine - What You Need to Know

COVID-19 is still changing our lives every day, but with the vaccine being approved on December 30th by the FDA for emergency use, the US is hopefully - finally, on the way to a healthier and happier country.

The COVID-19 vaccine is being released in a series of three waves, only vaccinating the most high-risk groups, this should cause her immunity to occur, here are those groups:

1a. Healthcare personnel and Long-term care facility residents

1b. Frontline essential workers and People age 75 years and older

1c. People aged 65 through 74 years and People aged 16 through 64 years with underlying medical conditions and Other essential worker

The vaccine comes in two doses. After starting the vaccine process, it is expected that people who receive the vaccine may experience some Covid like side effects, including- fever, headache and muscle/joint ache. But these things are completely normal, and are actually a good sign. Having side effects shows that your body is building immunity towards COVID-19.

“The shot felt like getting a flu shot, but I didn’t have any other side effects,” said Andrea Geates, Medical Laboratory Scientist, who got the shot in December.

The CDC and UCHealth at one point expressed that they were worried about people not wanting the second shot, due to the likelihood of stronger side effects, but the medicine won’t work unless you get the full vaccine dose through both shots.

“I will get it, because it's not effective until you have both doses of the vaccine,” explained Sue Taylor, Beacon Community Impact Manager, who also received the first dose of the vaccine.

“The dose has to be given 21 days apart,” said Geates- explaining why some doctors are worried about some patients not returning for the vaccine.

Knowing it’s not always easy for the general public- especially students- to here personal experiences from healthcare workers, here are a few things these two ladies wanted to mention:

“Vaccinating is a personal choice that benefits many people besides yourself. But, if someone is telling you ‘I have a shot that might save your life’, even if it only slightly increases my chances of survival- Im going to take the chance,” said Geates.

“I admit I had some initial trepidation, but the process was quick and smooth, and I had no symptoms. I don’t want to wear a mask for the rest of my life,” confessed Taylor, a feeling that many Americans agree with.

Geates concluded, “Even more important to me than my own health and safety, are the health and safety of my family members who cannot get vaccinated. I’m doing it to protect them.”