Because the situation surrounding COVID-19 is constantly evolving, some information may not be up to date. Stay informed by following information from your local officials and by visiting the CDC website.
If you watch the news or spend time on social media, you’ve probably heard about several COVID-19 vaccines that are seeking emergency-use authorization from the FDA. But what does this mean for you? We’ve been receiving a lot of questions about the COVID-19 vaccine, so here’s what we know so far.
There are currently five vaccines that are either in phase 3 testing or have finished phase 3 testing and are seeking emergency authorization from the FDA. These come from the following companies:
The Pfizer vaccine has been issued emergency-use authorization by the FDA.
Once a vaccine gains emergency-use authorization from the FDA, vaccine distribution and administration can begin and vaccines will go into production. Initial supply of a COVID-19 vaccine may be limited, and federal guidelines indicate that healthcare workers should be among the first to get the vaccine in order to ensure health systems are able to continue to provide care through the pandemic and beyond.
Federal guidelines indicate that healthcare workers should get the vaccine first, including those most at risk for exposure to COVID-19, such as: first responders and employees and patients in Long-Term Acute Care centers and other similar facilities. While nothing is set in stone, it is thought that the vaccine will be released to the following groups first:
Once the vaccines are approved, we expect to receive more doses every week, so the number of people who can get the vaccine will increase exponentially.
“We want to achieve herd immunity the right way through vaccination, but we’re unlikely to get that anytime soon,” said Dr. Kia Parsi, family medicine physician and Chief Medical Officer for St. Joseph Health. “In the meantime, we should be focused on the public health measures that we know are working, which include physically distancing, avoiding large social gatherings, and wearing masks.”
Even if you’re young and healthy, there is no telling how COVID-19 may affect you. Vaccinations can also reduce the spread of the virus.
“Vaccination of anywhere from 60-70% of the population will eventually lead to cessation of SARS-CoV-2 transmission, and that will stop this epidemic,” said Dr. Ricardo Lemos, medical director for infectious disease for St. Joseph Health. “In the meantime, social distancing and proper mask use remain the essential measures to prevent severe illness and deaths in the vulnerable population. If we better follow these simple public health measures, we will improve the current uncontrolled state of SARS-CoV-2 transmission, avoid thousands of deaths, and safeguard our hospitals, maintaining essential capabilities and saving lives until vaccination finishes the job and we can emerge from this crisis.”
After reading all of the benefits that can come from getting vaccinated, you may be searching for a “COVID-19 vaccine near me.” Initially, a limited number of provider sites will be available to administer the vaccine. Check with your physician’s office for more information about provider sites near you.
Our team is closely following the progress of vaccine development for COVID-19. We are preparing to receive and distribute vaccines as they become available. Vaccine distribution plans will be determined by the FDA, CDC, and state and local health departments—including how and when St. Joseph Health facilities will receive vaccines, how many doses will be available, and who should receive the first doses. Our expectation is that the vaccine will be distributed in phases, beginning with a limited number of doses in December 2020. Vaccines may be more widely available by spring or summer 2021.
The number of inoculations a person needs for the vaccine to be as effective as possible depends on the manufacturer. One of the vaccines in phase 3 requires only one injection, while all of the others require two.
Some vaccines require two inoculations over a period of time because the combination can create a stronger immune response in the recipient. The first round gives a small dose that your immune system can become familiar with, and the second one delivers a little more of the virus to train your immune system fully.
Vaccines are just one tool in our toolkit to prevent the spread of COVID-19. It is important that we continue to follow CDC guidelines for the pandemic, including wearing a mask and practicing social distancing after getting one or both doses of the COVID-19 vaccine. Please remember to wash your hands regularly, always wear face coverings in public, and follow social distancing guidelines and government quarantine directives in your area. Getting vaccinated is one of many steps you can take to protect yourself and others from COVID-19. Protection from COVID-19 is critically important because, for some people, it can cause severe illness or death.
As COVID-19 continues to spread, pay attention to your health and self-isolate if you have symptoms. If you have additional questions about COVID-19, schedule an in-person or virtual visit with your St. Joseph and Texas A&M Health Network primary care physician.
Sources:
CDC | Frequently Asked Questions about COVID-19 Vaccination CDC | How CDC Is Making COVID-19 Vaccine Recommendations CDC | Different COVID-19 Vaccines
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