Crucial Step

Concerns arise as more people receive COVID-19 vaccinations across the country

+ by Stella Grist

Two COVID-19 vaccines, one produced by Pfizer and Biotech and the other by Moderna, acquired approval from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for distribution in the United States in December. These vaccines are administered in two doses. Some people across the country have already begun to receive their second shot.

“With the availability of two vaccines now for the prevention of COVID-19, the FDA has taken another crucial step in the fight against this global pandemic that is causing vast numbers of hospitalizations and deaths in the United States each day,” FDA Commissioner Dr. Stephen M. Hahn said in a press release issued Dec. 18.

Healthcare officials have already received the vaccine, including Shawnee Mission School District (SMSD) nurses. SMSD Director of Health Services Shelby Rebeck received her vaccine on Jan. 6.

“The process was super smooth,” Rebeck said. “When you arrived, there was a form that you had to fill out online that asked if you had allergies to any of the vaccine ingredients, if you’d ever had a reaction to a vaccine and just some safety type questions. Then, there were approximately 15 stations where you sat down with a nurse who was giving the vaccine from the health department. I think I was seated for maybe 15 seconds and then I went to the checkout station, where they gave me my vaccine card that said the date I received the vaccine, the type of vaccine I received, a lot number and the date that I should receive my next vaccine.”

Rebeck experienced a slight headache and some soreness in her arm after receiving the vaccine. However, Rebeck still believes that any possible side effects of the vaccine outweigh the consequences of contracting the virus.

“I always felt that the FDA process and the scientists working on it, of all people would have been worried about the concern [that the vaccine was developed too quickly],” Rebeck said. “Even though it went quicker, I still think it went through all of the correct processes that a normal vaccine would go through. For me personally, it was the fear of contracting COVID-19, and either dying from it or having a serious long-term side effect. That fear was greater than the fear of getting the vaccine.”

The FDA regulates food, medical supplies and medicines that are manufactured and sold.

“The Food and Drug Administration is responsible for protecting the public health by ensuring the safety, efficacy, and security of human and veterinary drugs, biological products and medical devices,” the FDA says in their mission statement.

These vaccines received approval from the FDA because it is known that they are effective in reducing the spread and transmission of the virus and have no major safety concerns.

“Guided by science and data, the agency’s career staff determined that the vaccine’s known and potential benefits clearly outweigh its known and potential risks,” FDA Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research director Dr. Peter Marks said in a press release issued Dec. 18.

Rebeck understands concerns about the safety of the virus, but she believes that whoever is eligible and able to receive the vaccine should. The health department is requiring 70% of the community to get the vaccination. Otherwise, mitigation efforts such as masks and social distancing will remain in place.

“I would tell [those who are worried about the safety of the vaccine] to do their research with reputable sites,” Rebeck said. “Social media is not a great place to find accurate scientific information. So, go to the CDC [Center for Disease Control], go to the FDA information and talk to their personal physician.”

Rebeck believes the only way to return to normalcy is widespread distribution of a vaccine.

“I just don’t see another path out of this COVID-19 nightmare that we’re living right now,” Rebeck said. “We don’t want to keep these mitigation measures in place [next] school year. So, I want to encourage people to do their research and look at ‘is this vaccine safe for me, and what does my physician say?’ If they’re eligible, and their physician says it’s okay, then I hope those people will take advantage of it.” Statistics 23.5 million shots given in the United States 1.25 million doses given per day in the United States 7.1 doses administered per 100 people in United States 5.4 doses administered per 100 people in Kansas 56.6% of the available shots in the

United States have been used Kansas has administered 45.2% of the shots available, the lowest rate in the country