With the COVID-19 vaccine distribution under way, the side effects are shown to differ between each recipient, allowing the public to be aware of the effects caused from the immunization.
“Studies have shown that experiences between the vaccinated population differ greatly from person to person so there is no way for someone to know how their body will react,” Veterans Hospital nurse Kimberlee Gardner said.
Gardner received the vaccine due to her job as an operating room nurse at the Veterans Hospital in Philadelphia. Most of the vaccinated population reports injection site pain and fatigue as their main side effects. Gardner reported only experiencing fatigue as a side effect on her second dose of the Pfizer vaccine.
How each recipient’s body reacts to the vaccine can vary but there haven’t been any discoveries on exact traits that can cause one to experience more side effects than another.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), between the three approved vaccines, 12 percent of the U.S population is now vaccinated for COVID-19. Soon-to-be vaccine recipient RuthE Potter mentions she is not concerned about side effects because she has “been following the vaccine trials and listening to the scientists and the medical professionals.”
The majority of the vaccine recipients are the elderly community and medical professionals. However, the demographic is opening up to teens, especially those who work in retirement homes.
Sophomore Alexander Ace received both doses of the Pfizer vaccine due to being a server at a retirement home.
“I work with people who can get COVID really easily and if they get it they have a high chance of death,” Ace said.
Along with his high risk residents Ace also mentions that he got the vaccine to “protect my family and friends” and he wasn’t going to pass up such a good opportunity to receive the vaccine before other teens.
The COVID-19 vaccine was created in under a year and numerous trials were conducted to ensure the safety of the shot took place during that time.
Gardner experienced annoyance towards her fellow nurses who felt that the vaccine was not safe or done too quickly.
“I didn’t receive any backlash, but I have to say I was annoyed at my coworkers that were against getting the vaccine,” Gardner said.
The vaccine is showing to decrease the COVID-19 rates but the standards for safety are still being enforced to ensure a speedy recovery from this pandemic.
Instructions to still follow COVID-19 regulations after receiving the vaccine have been stated in the U.S.
According to Potter, she will still be socially distancing and wearing her mask properly when she is out.
“We are seeing so much progress as infection rates decrease. We are going to get through this. We just have to remain courteous and diligent,” Potter said.
According to Ace, his friends were against the vaccine and felt that the shot would cause sickness or even death.
Although his friends were not for the vaccine, Ace explained that he is “going to trust the doctor more than high schoolers.”