April 2021

8
National News
maldenblueandgold.com
The Blue and Gold
April 2021
COVID Vaccine Research
Christopher Mcintyre
Lead Reporter
Around this time last year, the
world was changed. Everything
spanning from the way we eat
to how close we can get to each other
while walking on the sidewalk. You
may have heard about this strange
virus called COVID-19 across news
outlets and probably did not think
much of it. So now, a year later as
we fight this strange virus, how has
it affected you? And, what can we
expect?
The Biden Administration has
bought 600 million doses of Pfizer
COVID 19 vaccine. Photo from Shutterstock
This last year has been painful
and stressful for everyone. The
pandemic has stopped school and
made a lot of people lose their jobs.
COVID-19 has put so many people’s
lives at risk, and has even taken
away some of our loved ones. In the
midst of all of this front line workers
have been working hard and scientists
have also worked hard to create
a vaccine. However, questions have
arisen in regards to the vaccine: Is
the vaccine safe? Will it work?
First off, what is the COVID-19
vaccine? Despite the fact that there
are many vaccines that are in development,
they all serve the same
purpose, to help our immune system
recognize and fight the virus. In
general this vaccine is an inactivated
vaccine that consists of the virus’
particles or bacteria to kill off the
stronger version of the virus. So
far 71.3 million vaccines have been
given globally in 57 countries.
What is the process like after
receiving the vaccine? It will take a
couple of weeks before the body can
officially build immunity. During
this time period, you may produce
symptoms/reactions like fevers,
and Moderna vaccines in mid-February
to be delivered to hospitals
and other vaccination sites by the
end of July. Complemented with
Johnson & Johnsons pledge to 100
million vaccinations, that is more
than enough for America’s 330 million
residents. President Biden has
stated that the U.S. expects enough
COVID-19 vaccines for all adults by
the end of May.
There have been many questions
and skeptics on whether the
COVID vaccinations are safe or not
in the media. When you get the vaccine,
you may experience side effects
The COVID Vaccine:
What We Should Know
Renalda Simon
Reporter
fatigue, headache, aching limbs,
and redness, swelling, or pain
around the injection site. These are
all normal symptoms as the body is
protecting itself against the virus.
If your symptoms worsen like, the
redness increases after 24 hours of
getting the vaccine, or if your side
effects do not go away after a few
days you should call a doctor or
healthcare provider.
Is it possible to get the virus
even after getting the vaccine? The
answer is yes. Even after getting the
vaccine there is still a chance you
can get the virus. The vaccine has
not fully proven its protection yet
so we do not know how long the
immunity will last. After taking the
vaccine, you may not test positive
for COVID-19 but you will probably
test positive for other antibody
tests. This means you may have had
a previous infection and now you
might have some level of protection
against the virus. If you have
had COVID-19 prior, then there is a
higher chance of getting re-infected.
Here are some other questions
about the vaccine. What are the
ingredients in the COVID-19 vaccine?
The vaccine does not include
eggs, preservatives, or latex. What
percent of people need to be vac-
such as swelling in your arm, fever,
tiredness and chills. Side effects are
actually a good sign to let you know
whether the vaccine works or not, as
your immune system is building energy
against the vaccination, therefore
doing its job. It is possible that
you can still get the virus after the
vaccination, although it is rare and
often a milder version of the illness,
resembling the flu. *maybe some
facts here about the hospitalization
rates/death rates of people post vaccine.
I know there are some charts
and graphs that you may be able to
find in the public domain with an
internet search.
The vaccine works by reducing
the transmission of the virus, meaning
it does not only protect you but
the people around you. The vaccine
will not only protect you from CO-
VID-19 but the variants of the virus
as well. If you have the vaccination
and the people around you are vaccinated,
you can take off your mask.
During the time of writing this
article, a little less than 1% of the
world has been fully vaccinated,
while Massachusetts has fully vaccinated
8% of its residents and has
given out 1.84 million doses in total.
In Malden there are two locations
where you can currently get vac-
wear a
mask!!
Covid vaccine photo via flickr.
cinated to have herd immunity to
COVID-19? Experts do not yet know
what percentage of people need to
be vaccinated to achieve this goal.
Who is paying for the vaccines? The
vaccines are purchased with the
US taxpayer, costing the American
people nothing.
If you are not ready to get the
vaccine, here are some tips to follow
cinated, both of the locations being
CVS. 10% of the adult population
within the U.S. are vaccinated and
the number of vaccinations is only
expected to rise throughout the rest
of winter into spring.
Massachusetts has moved into
Phase 2 groups being eligible for
vaccination, including people ages
65 and older, health care workers,
first responders, low income and
senior residents. There has been
some concern whether teachers proceeding
to hybrid learning will be
able to undergo vaccinations. Massachusetts
has now made educators
and school staff eligible within the
Phase 2 group of vaccinations. The
vaccination is free but requires some
form of identification and confirmation
that you are within one of these
groups.
Outbreaks have occurred in
schools and may continue to occur
if people do not follow the guidelines
of COVID-19 held previously.
Several studies found that transmission
between students is generally
rare. Many feel that it is important
that educators and school staff alike
have been vaccinated because the
likelihood of transmission between
educators and students is low, but
the rate of transmission between
other staff is higher.
The virus has done its damage
on the mental health of students
and workers, but be weary not to
rush into any hope of normalcy.
COVID-19 has had an adverse effect
on every aspect of life, that is undeniable,
but CDC recommends that
you still need to do your part while
others are waiting for a vaccine. The
process of vaccinations will take its
time, yet we are beginning to see
the light at the end of the tunnel
after all.
to protect yourself from getting the
virus. Wear a mask over your nose
and your mouth, stay at least six
feet away from others, avoid large
crowds, wash your hands often, if
you feel sick then stay home, avoid
rooms that do not offer fresh air,
cover your cough and sneezes with
a tissue, and last but not least disinfect
objects that are touched daily.