Take Your Shot

Take Your Shot: A COVID Vaccine Q&A

I’m concerned about vaccine safety.

Abigail Wagner Editor-in-Chief

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.

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.

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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?

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.

Where can I get my shot?

I’m over 16, but under 18.

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

Continuing Clubs Kendall Conboy Staff Writer

The 2020-2021 school year has been a difficult Rezek also said that CHADS has begun to meet in year for clubs and organizations around the high school. person again in Phase 1, and had recently just hosted their Whether that be due to the reduced number of students first drive-in movie as a replacement for their annual Dein the building because of the ARC program or social stress Day to adjust to the Covid-19 guidelines. distancing protocols, clubs have continued to organize and Other clubs, like Future Business Leaders of America, also in some circumstances, gather safely. have had to adjust to Covid guidelines, but have had a Recruitment for most clubs, especially amongst successful year nonetheless. For the sponsor of FBLA, Judy underclassmen, starts at the beginning of the school year Girard (Business Department), one of the most difficult early in August. This year was especially unique with the parts of sponsoring FBLA this year was the lack of high school starting first semester in an all virtual format. recruitment. “In a non-pandemic situation, we have a club/sports/ “We could not reach as many students as we activity fair during [freshman] orientation. We also provide normally do through freshman orientation, selling or the freshmen with a list of clubs/organizations/sports along promoting during the lunch periods, after school meetings, with their contact information. The curriculum night & recruiting events,” Girard said. activity fair is especially effective because The club has had biweekly Monday the freshmen get to meet students who morning Zoom meetings are in the clubs and discuss the activities with officers to update and brainstorm the clubs are involved in,” Karen Kershaw about upcoming meetings, service (Math Department), sponsor of Link projects, and social gatherings. Crew said. Kershaw mentioned that the “Quarterly socials were the most hardest part of being the sponsor of Link different- our social VP’s had to really Crew during this challenging Covid-19 think outside the box. They were held school year was that no typical freshman on Friday nights with 20 plus members orientation was held. joining us on Zoom to hang out,” Girard said. “We planned for a normal FBLA has had to come up with orientation. Then we planned for a creative ways to continue to prepare modified in person orientation with students for successful careers in business social distancing. We did provide tours by hosting speakers via Zoom, as well to freshmen as we headed to phase 2, as fun social events including trivia and but it was just a tour. Because we didn’t have PAC this year, our Leaders didn’t really get to make any connections with FBLA VP of membership Kevin Feiste (12), VP of community relations Julien Manigot(12), and co-president Jackson movie nights. According to the National Youth Transitions Center, it is important freshmen” Kershaw mentioned. Terrill (12) assist with the club’s Angels for students to stay involved in clubs In a school year where it has Arms Breakfast Drive. and organizations throughout the become so important to not only stay active and involved pandemic to practice proper leadership in academics, but also socially, clubs are a way and teamwork skills as well as promote for students to have an outlet of community inside and personal development through activities and shared outside of school. CHADS Coalition for Mental Health is a interest. club on campus that meets monthly to promote social and As the sponsor of Link Crew, Kershaw works with emotional well being as well as mental health awareness. sponsors, and student leaders to help integrate freshmen “We definitely haven’t had as many people at into the school community and witnesses the effects of meetings as we have had in the past… probably because of involvement first hand. Covid and zoom,” member Sophie Rezek (12) said. “I think involvement in a club, organization, or For many clubs across the school, most meetings, sport is almost as important as academics. Involvement... especially in the first and second quarters, were held greatly helps students feel a part of the Lindbergh exclusively on Zoom. However, now that LHS is in Phase community, it provides a network of support socially, 1, more clubs are meeting in person, with the option to emotionally and academically and it provides fun for the Zoom in for those who prefer to stay home. students” Kershaw said. LHS has a bulletin board in the main building hallway adjacent to the 10s hallway with information 10 News May on any club that a student could be interested in joining. Additional information can also be found on the school website and social media pages for any student interested in getting involved in a new club during the 2021-22 school year.