The Daily Dose
COVID-19 vaccines: Protecting you, your family, and your community
COVID-19 vaccines are finally here and being distributed all over the world and right here in the Capital Region. These new vaccines have raised many common questions and concerns that we hope to help address for our members and the entire community.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Why should I get the vaccine?
The COVID-19 crisis has taken the world by storm, resulting in millions of infections and hundreds of thousands of deaths. In addition to mask-wearing, social-distancing, and hand-washing, the vaccine is the best line of defense against this highly contagious virus.
The vaccine was created and approved in less than a year. Isn’t that cause for concern?
It’s true that the COVID-19 vaccines were approved and reached the market quickly, but messenger RNA vaccines (or mRNA, which the COVID-19 vaccine uses) have been researched for at least the last decade. The COVID-19 pandemic accelerated that research because all efforts were channeled into finding a vaccine to stop the spread of this disease.
Won’t there be long-term side-effects of the vaccine that we aren’t even aware of yet?
As with most all other vaccines, a reaction to the COVID-19 vaccine is likely to occur within 15 minutes of injection. That’s why, once you get your first and second shot, you will be asked to remain onsite for observation for no less than 15 minutes. If after 15 minutes you do not feel well or are uncomfortable with leaving, stay and report your symptoms to a staff member immediately. Short-term side effects could include pain at the injection site, fever, headaches, and body aches. These are completely normal and actually show that your body is producing a response to the vaccine, which is good news. It is also completely normal if you do not have any side effects.
When will the vaccine be available to children?
While clinical trials for kids as young as 12 are underway, it will take time to complete them and authorize the vaccine for use in kids.
Once I get the vaccine, I don’t have to wear a mask or social distance anymore, right?
Not so fast… the vaccine does not offer immediate protection, and it is imperative that people receive both doses for maximum effectiveness. Until the majority of the population is vaccinated, maskwearing, social-distancing, and hand-washing should still be used to protect yourself and others.
Where can I get more information?
For information specific to New York State’s vaccine distribution plan, visit health.ny.gov.
For information on the COVID-19 vaccines, visit cdc.gov.
Natalia Burkart About the Author
Natalia joined CDPHP in 2015 as a communications writer/editor and currently serves as director, communications strategy. Born and raised in the Capital Region, Natalia earned a BS in marketing and management from Siena College and an MBA from Union Graduate College (now Clarkson University). A self-professed news junkie and lover of iced coffee, Natalia currently resides in North Greenbush with her husband and two kids.
Edward Woodhouse
Pretty superficial on vaccine safety. At least acknowledge that there are no long-term human studies of mRNA-based vaccines? And some mention of how experts interpret the five-year animal studies?
Natalia Burkart
Hi, Edward – Thank you for your feedback. We will consider your suggestions for a future update to this blog.
Ashley Mayhew
How safe is it for pregnant woman. I had covid in November and became pregnant immediately after. If I still test positive for antibodies is it best to wait till second or third trimester when the baby is bigger and stronger?
Natalia Burkart
Hi, Ashley – We recommend talking to your OB/GYN about whether or not receiving the COVID-19 vaccine is right for you based on your individual situation and medical history.
Susan DiSarro
Thank-you, very informative information.
Natalia Burkart
Hi, Susan – Glad we could help! Stay healthy!
Thomas Lewinski
I live in Clinton park ny and I I have heard that the market 32 as well as all cvs’s which I have a cvs right around the corner of my house and both have sings since December that they have no vaccine to give. Market 32 at rt 9 in Clinton park says that they never got any of the vacancies.I have a 74 year old in my house who is your client and he can’t even get vaccinated.
Natalia Burkart
Hi, Thomas – We understand your frustration about vaccines currently being in limited supply. Please keep an eye on your email for updates from CDPHP as they become available, as well as visit health.ny.gov for the latest on New York state’s vaccine distribution plan.
Natalia Burkart
The best defense to any virus is a healthy immune system. Why is it that you don’t mention that anywhere? Please inform your members on how best to boost their immune system.
And what about hydroxychloroquine which has been a proven prophylactic? Why haven’t you been recommending its use?
Natalia Burkart
Hi, Brenda – Thank you for your feedback. The best defense is a good offense, so we certainly agree that a healthy immune system is important in the fight against COVID-19. Please check out the Healthy Living section of our blog for more information.
Susan
Please discuss boosting the immune system – vitamin D, zinc, etc. Please also discuss treatments such as hydroxychloroquine, ivermectin, etc., in the very successful and promising treatment of a covid infection when used early. Please also discuss the fact that these mRNA “vaccines” have never been used on humans and that anyone who gets the “vaccine” is entering a clinical trial and there is no legal recourse (Company not legally responsible) if there is a reaction or death. (This, I would imagine, will also render life insurance policies null and void.) You should mention that these are not FDA approved. They are EUA only – emergency use. Please also provide the VAERS website link for CDPHP participants to check on the multitude of reactions and deaths attributed to these “vaccines.” I read that the US vaccine death rate is up by 6000% since last year. Another thing that would be useful is to discuss the ingredients. I’ve read there are lots of strange things in vaccines; I’m sure these are no different. But, if the “vaccine” doesn’t allow us to return to normal life – no masks, social distancing – what is really the point? (We’ve had the virus in our house – just like the flu, not pandemic-shut-down-the-world material in my opinion.) The CDC death count – these were people who may have died WITH covid, not necessarily FROM covid. I’ve read the actual deaths FROM covid is a very small percentage of the half a million plus deaths, and that most of them had several risk factors like obesity, heart disease, kidney disease, etc. Oh, one more thing. How does payment or incentive work with these “vaccines”? Do doctors, medical facilities, and insurance companies get monetary incentives from pharmaceutical companies? That is a question that recently popped up in my head. Thank you!
Natalia Burkart
Hi Susan,
You bring up several great points. Thank you for your feedback. We will be sure to consider for future articles.
Paula DeWald
You didn’t answer the question about documentation of long term safety of this vaccine. This is one reason why so many people are hesitant to take this vaccine. Also there are appropriate studies that show hydroxychloroquin is very effective if taken early. Why is this information being suppressed. This does not increase our trust with treatment for CoVid.
Natalia Burkart
Hi Paula,
Thanks for your feedback. You’re right, there are still a lot of unknowns about this disease and it’s associated treatments. We will be sure to share all verified information as it becomes available.