By Caroline Dehn, EIC Academics
Thankfully, Coronavirus vaccines have been rolling out quicker each day, and many more are becoming eligible to be vaccinated. That being said, it is important for everyone to be informed on which vaccine you are being administered, as well as the possible side-effects that come along with them.
Both the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines require two doses. They both have high efficacy rates, ninety-five and ninety-four percent respectively, meaning there is a low chance of a vaccinated person getting the virus as well as spreading it to others. Both vaccines however have shown an 100% effectiveness in preventing severe disease, hospitalization, and death if a vaccinated person does contract COVID-19.
The Johnson and Johnson vaccine only requires a single dose which is helpful for students with busy work and school schedules. The efficacy rate is a little lower, around seventy-two percent, however, it still has an eighty-five percent effectiveness in preventing severe disease which is great for college students as rates of severe disease are much lower within out age demographic.
For all three vaccines, side effects have been more common in younger groups as well as slightly more common among women. These vaccines are composed of the virus’s mRNA that creates a spike protein for your immune system to tackle. That means, a vaccinated person cannot contract the disease because they were not injected with the virus itself. Though you cannot get COVID, side effects include sore arm and body, fatigue, low-grade fever, and chills. The symptoms typically occur between 12 and 48 hours of getting the vaccine.
These vaccines have been proven to be safe among trials and recipients. Getting the vaccine is important in order to stop the spread of coronavirus as well as protecting yourself from severe disease. If you are eligible, taking any of these vaccines can help you and those around you.
For students who are essential workers in childcare, and school staff, regardless if they are working in person are eligible to be vaccinated as of April 12th. For essential workers outside of those categories, you must be working in-person in DC to receive a vaccine.
As of April 19th, all D.C. residents ages sixteen and older are eligible to be vaccinated. Make sure to pre-register at https://coronavirus.dc.gov/vaccinatedc to get an appointment. Appointment invitations will be sent out at these times:
- Thursdays by 10:00 a.m.
- Sundays by 10:00 a.m.
- Tuesdays by 10:00 a.m. (only if any appointments remain to be filled)
To register for a vaccine appointment or to check your eligibility, visit https://coronavirus.dc.gov/vaccinatedc
