Take Your Shot: A COVID Vaccine Q&A I’m concerned about vaccine safety.
Abigail Wagner
I’ve had COVID. Should I get the shot?
Yes. Re-infection has happened, although it’s rare. If you currently are quarantining because you’ve tested positive for the virus, the CDC says you should wait to get the shot until your symptoms subside.
This vaccine got created really fast. Is it safe?
Yes. The vaccine was able to be created so quickly because the technology for it already existed. (Ask a biology teacher about mRNA vaccines if you’re interested!) Each of the companies that created the vaccine went through the normal phases of vaccine development and safety trials, just more quickly. More than 100 million Americans have already received at least one dose of the vaccine. With all these doses administered, only .0005 percent of people have developed severe negative side effects, according to the CDC.
I heard people died after getting the vaccine. Should that concern me?
You may have heard that 2,794 people have died after receiving the COVID vaccine. The CDC has reviewed information in each of these cases and determined that vaccination was not a contributing factor in any of the deaths. These people died after receiving the vaccine, but medical evidence suggests that the shot was not what caused their deaths.
Will I have side effects after getting the vaccine?
According to the CDC, you may experience some minor side effects, especially after your second shot. These can include a headache, muscle aches, fever, chills, and fatigue- common symptoms of COVID-19, but much less severe. These side effects are a good sign, and show that your immune system is learning how to fight COVID. If you experience these symptoms, the CDC says it’s OK to take Tylenol to help deal with them. You should recover within 1-2 days.
Editor-in-Chief
Do I really need the COVID vaccine? Why do high schoolers specifically need to be told about the COVID vaccine?
There’s no data on high schoolers’ opinions on the vaccine, but according to a March poll from STAT-Harris, members of Gen Z are fairly unlikely to get the shot. This poll found that 21% of Gen Z does not ever plan to get vaccinated against the virus, and another 34% said they would “wait a while and see” before taking the shot.
Will the vaccine protect me from COVID? And why should I care about that?
Yes. The vaccine will definitely protect you from COVID. The Pfizer vaccine, which is the only one most high schoolers are eligible for, is 91.3% effective against illness, and 100% effective against serious illness, according to the company’s website. It’s true that young people rarely get severe cases of COVID-19, but it has happened. Even cases that don’t require hospitalization can cause high fevers, loss of taste and smell, and a strong cough.
I’m still not too concerned about getting sick. Are there any other reasons to get the shot?
Yes. Even if you’re not worried about getting COVID yourself, the shot will help you protect the people around you who are more vulnerable to severe illness. That could include your parents, grandparents, and friends with pre-existing health concerns. And the more people who get the vaccine, the closer society gets to a level of immunity that will allow us to return to normal life- including LHS events like school dances, pep assemblies, concerts, and sporting events.
Should I get the vaccine if I know someone more vulnerable who hasn’t yet?
Yes. You’ll be helping to protect them and everyone else around you. If you can find a vaccine appointment and schedule it, think of your dose as one that might not have helped anybody if you didn’t take it, since unused doses of some brands have to be thrown away if they have been taken out of the freezer.
Where can I get my shot? I’m over 16, but under 18.
Am I eligible for a vaccine? Can I even get vaccinated? I thought the shot was only available for older people. Yes, younger people can now be vaccinated. The Pfizer vaccine has been available to anyone 16 and up in Missouri since April 9th, according to the St. Louis Post-Dispatch.
I’m not 18 yet. Can I get vaccinated?
Yes, with your parent or guardian’s permission, if you’re 16 or older. Anyone 16 and up is eligible to take the Pfizer vaccine. You’ll have to make sure that this is the vaccine being offered where you choose to take your shot- not the Moderna brand.
I’m not 16 yet. Will I be able to be vaccinated before I turn 16?
8
Opinion May
Probably yes, also with the Pfizer vaccine. Pfizer recently completed its trials on adolescents ages 12-15, and filed for approval with the FDA. According to NBC News, the vaccine actually protected this group better than adults, with none of the kids in the trial contracting COVID after the vaccine, compared to about 5% of vaccinated adults.
You can sign up for any community events offering the Pfizer vaccine, since that’s the only one you’re eligible for. You can also search at local pharmacies such as CVS, Walgreens, and Walmart. These vaccine opportunities will allow you to make sure you’re receiving the Pfizer vaccine. Your parent or guardian will need to help you make your appointment.
I’m 18.
You can go anywhere 16-year-olds can to find a vaccine, along with any community events offering the Moderna vaccine. As long as you have access to your medical information, you can schedule your own appointment.
How much does the vaccine cost?
The vaccine is completely free to everyone, whether or not you’re insured.
What resources can I use to find an appointment?
https://vaccinefinder.org/search/ - Find appointments by brand and ZIP code
https://www.cvs.com/immunizations/covid-19-vaccine - Find close appointments at CVS https://stlcorona.com/covid19-vaccines/vaccine-appointments/ - Schedule an appointment through the St. Louis County Health Department
Opinion May
9
