Since the pandemic is still raging up to date, here are important things you need to understand about COVID-19 vaccines.
#1 How Do Vaccines Work?
Pfizer, Moderna, and Johnson & Johnson are the primary manufacturers of COVID-19 vaccines. The FDA granted Pfizer full clearance which was approved August 23 of 2021 for persons aged 16 and up, with emergency use authorization for children aged 5 to 15. Moderna has been granted emergency usage authorization for those aged 18 and up. Both are messenger RNA (mRNA) vaccinations with two doses. These vaccines include an mRNA fragment that encodes for a part of the coronavirus spike protein. When we receive the vaccine, our cells produce that protein – or a part of it – and our systems build an immunological reaction to the protein.
The single-dose Johnson & Johnson vaccine is a DNA vaccination with emergency use permission for 18-year-olds and older. However, it ultimately produces the same substance as the Pfizer and Moderna mRNA vaccines. This novel DNA vaccine enables the body to build an immune reaction to the spike protein, and hence to build an immunological response against infection.
How long can an individual remain immune to the COVID-19 vaccine?
Because COVID-19 vaccinations are still so new, further research is needed to determine how long immunity lasts. According to current research, persons who were vaccinated had a high level of immunity to COVID-19. Immunity appears to be long-lasting, but researchers must monitor immunological levels over time.
#2 Are COVID-19 Vaccines Effective?
Clinical study results suggest that the Pfizer and Moderna COVID-19 vaccines are 95% effective for persons across all subgroups, whereas the Johnson & Johnson vaccine is roughly 85% effective. These include racial and ethnic minorities, as well as those who have one or more of the following medical conditions: Obesity, Diabetes, Hypertension, and Cardiopulmonary illnesses that are chronic.
The CDC, the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG), and the Society for Maternal-Fetal Medicine (SFMM) all concur that pregnant women are eligible for COVID-19 vaccinations.
#3 What are the Common Side Effects of COVID-19 vaccines?
According to the CDC, the most common adverse effects include a painful arm and, in rare cases, fever, chills, lethargy, headaches for a day or two. According to trials, the majority of effects other than a painful arm occur after the second dosage. All of these are indications that your body is preparing an immunological response.
According to CDS research, the risk of anaphylaxis – a serious allergic response – is exceedingly low. According to statistics from individuals who got the first of the two prescribed dosages, around one in every 90,000 people may develop this adverse reaction. Those who have had severe allergic responses to other drugs or foods are particularly at risk of an adverse reaction. There have been no fatalities. The COVID-19 epidemic, on the other hand, has killed more than one out of every 1,000 Americans.
In the United States, there has been a surge in reports of occurrences of heart irritation, known as myocarditis and pericarditis, occurring following COVID-19 immunization. Given the number of vaccination doses delivered, these reports are uncommon and have occurred mostly in teenagers and young adults. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and its collaborators are closely monitoring these reports by evaluating data and medical records to learn more about what happened and to determine whether there is a link to COVID-19 vaccination. Most patients who got treatment responded well to medication and rest and felt well immediately.
Cases have been documented mostly in male young adults aged 16 and older, more frequently after receiving the second dose of one of the mRNA COVID-19 vaccinations than after receiving the first dosage, and generally within several days following COVID-19 vaccination. Patients may normally resume their normal daily activities once their symptoms have subsided, and they should see their doctor before returning to exercise or sports.
#4 Will the Spread of Virus Stop After a COVID-19 Vaccine Shot?
COVID-19 infections in people who have been vaccinated, known as breakthrough infections, can spread to others. Most studies indicate that vaccinated individuals have a considerably lower risk of COVID-19 transmission than unvaccinated ones.
#5 Who can take the COVID-19 third dose or booster shot?
The following categories of individuals, according to the CDC and FDA, are eligible for COVID-19 vaccination boosters or third doses:
- Patients aged 5 and above with weakened immune systems: For the Pfizer and Moderna COVID-19 vaccinations, the CDC advises that “people with moderately to severely compromised immune systems get an extra dose of mRNA COVID-19 vaccine at least 28 days following a second dose.
- People aged 16 and up – Anyone in this age range who got the two-dose Pfizer can receive a booster dosage five months following the second dose. Those who had a Moderna vaccination can receive a booster six months after receiving their second dose.
- People who had a single-dose Johnson & Johnson vaccine: According to the CDC, anyone who received a Johnson & Johnson injection can obtain a booster dosage two months after their initial dose.
Safety First!
The best approach to prepare for a COVID vaccination is to study the potential adverse effects. Most people will have moderate symptoms such as a painful arm or flu-like symptoms that linger up to two days before subsiding.
COVID vaccination may cause a significant response or complication in rare situations. That isn’t a reason to avoid being vaccinated because the benefits still exceed the dangers, but it is a good idea to keep a careful check on how you feel following your vaccination.
Do you need COVID testing in Las Vegas?
If you suspect you have COVID-19, contact your doctor’s office or your local health service. Before you go, talk to your doctor about your symptoms and ask for testing. Staff will have the ability to plan ahead. They’ll do it while dressed in full protective gear.
If you haven’t noticed any symptoms but have been in close touch with someone who has COVID-19, your doctor or the local health department should advise you to get tested. After close contact with someone who has COVID-19, a COVID-19 test should be conducted 5 to 7 days later. If you take the test too soon, the infection may not be detected.
For information on testing and quarantine, go to your doctor or the local health department. Visit American Specialty Lab, one of the leading testing laboratories in Las Vegas, NV, and be assured of “Integrity in testing, and reliability in results.”