Healthy Skepticism

As we know, it typically takes years to develop vaccines, assure their safety and effectiveness (known as efficacy), and then manufacture them on a mass scale. However, this timeline has been accelerated through national and international programs to quickly address the covid pandemic. The accelerated research and development process allowed scientists to perform many steps simultaneously rather than sequentially. The federal effort also provided funding to support the work of pharmaceutical companies to begin manufacturing vaccines before they are approved — allowing for quick distribution if a vaccine earns FDA authorization.

Though vaccines are unquestionably our best hope for getting past the COVID-19 pandemic, some people remain uneasy about whether they should accept or decline the vaccine. While it can be ok to have a certain level of healthy skepticism, when making such important decisions, you should always consider the pro’s and the con’s, or as we like to say in the healthcare world the benefits vs. the risk. Let’s take a look below at some of the most common questions and answers surrounding the Covid-19 vaccine in hopes that it will allow you to make the make decision when deciding if the Covid-19 vaccine is right for you.

How safe is the COVID-19 vaccine?

Only vaccines that meet standards for safety and efficacy are approved for emergency use by the FDA. Vaccines are assessed to see whether and how well they can protect people from SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19. Any approved COVID-19 vaccine is tested in a trial of at least 30,000 volunteers and reviewed to make sure it is safe. Like any medical therapy, getting vaccinated is accompanied by some degree of risk. However, the reported potential risks and side effects of a COVID-19 vaccine are substantially lower than the risks and side effects associated with contracting COVID-19.

Who was included in the vaccine trials:

Scientists tested the vaccines during clinical trials to make sure each immunization met or exceeded established safety and efficacy thresholds. Trials began with small groups of people before expanding to include much larger numbers — tens of thousands — making sure to include a wide range of people from across the country and around the world. This includes people of different ages, races, sexes, and health conditions, including HIV, diabetes and lung disease. Scientists studied how well the vaccines worked when compared to a control group, which received a placebo version of the vaccine. Pharmaceutical companies will track clinical trial participants for up to two years after they received a vaccine to make sure they remain healthy.

How do scientists know the COVID-19 vaccine is effective?

During the COVID-19 clinical trials, scientists gave participants either the COVID-19 vaccine or a placebo, a harmless treatment that has no impact on the body, to compare the results. Scientists checked the participants to see if they had made antibodies that protected them from COVID-19. The researchers also measured the infection rates and compared them between the vaccine group and the placebo group. The participants who received the vaccine were significantly more likely to have antibodies and were significantly less likely to contract COVID-19 or get seriously ill from it than those who received the placebo.

Can you get COVID-19 from the vaccine? Can it cause a false-positive test result?

No, it is not possible to get COVID-19 from this vaccine, and it won’t produce a positive COVID-19 test result. You may feel unwell after getting vaccinated, but this is a sign of your immune system starting to activate to protect you. However, you could still catch the virus after being immunized and before your body’s immune system has reached its full ability to fight the virus. In addition, much like the flu vaccine, COVID-19 vaccines are not 100% effective, which means there is a chance you could contract COVID-19. However, researchers believe you may be less likely to get as sick as you would if you were unvaccinated. If you have been vaccinated and test positive, you should self-isolate, monitor your symptoms and contact your physician.

Can you get a COVID-19 vaccine if you’re pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or breastfeeding?

The CDC has indicated that the vaccine may be administered to pregnant women and several professional societies have advocated for these individuals to be vaccinated. However, if you have questions or concerns, you should discuss with your healthcare provider. The CDC says those who are pregnant should weigh the following when deciding whether to get the vaccine:

Your individual risk of acquiring the virus (both to community transmission and occupation)

The potential damaging health outcomes of contracting COVID-19 while you’re pregnant

The side effects that you may experience after receiving the vaccine

The safety and efficacy data currently available

Can I still get COVID-19 after being vaccinated?

Yes, it’s still possible for you to contract COVID-19, even after receiving the vaccine. No vaccine is 100% effective. However, your chances are much lower, and researchers believe you may be less likely to get as sick as you would if you were unvaccinated.

I’ve already had COVID-19. Should I still get the COVID-19 vaccine?

If you’ve had COVID-19 in the past 90 days, you can postpone getting your vaccine until that 90-day window has elapsed. If you are still symptomatic and infectious, you should postpone your vaccine until you are well and no longer contagious. Also, if you’ve been treated for COVID-19 with monoclonal antibodies or convalescent therapy in the past 90 days, you should postpone your vaccine until after the three-month window has passed. Otherwise, yes, you should still get the COVID-19 vaccine, even if you’ve had COVID-19.

Who gets the COVID-19 vaccine first? Will there be enough vaccine for everyone in the country?

Vaccines will be extremely limited for the first few months. However, federal officials say anyone who wants the vaccine will eventually be able to get immunized. Until then, the country will follow distribution guidelines developed by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine, and the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices. This guidance gives priority to people who need the vaccine the most, and organizations that administer the vaccine are obligated to follow those guidelines. Healthcare workers and nursing home patients will be among the first to be vaccinated.

When will it be my turn to get the COVID-19 vaccine?

The first phase of the national vaccine rollout – known as 1a – focuses on healthcare workers and long-term care facility residents. Phase 1b identifies adults 75 or older and non-healthcare frontline essential workers, such as teachers, transportation workers, police and firefighters. Phase 1c identifies adults 65 or older and those with high-risk medical conditions. You can view the CDC’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices’ (ACIP) latest updates here. Public health agencies may update, adjust, or change these groups.

It will be many months before all Americans who are willing to get a vaccine can be immunized. We need 75-80 percent of Americans to receive vaccines in order to attain the so-called “herd immunity”. Each of us needs to follow the three W’s: Wear a mask, Watch your distance, Wash your hands often.

For more information regarding the covid-19 vaccine check out:

https://www.cdc.gov

https://www.dph.illinois.gov