Coronavirus (COVID-19) has had a devastating effect on many lives and families. Thankfully, the vaccine for COVID-19 has just been made available to the public.
** Care for Womens Medical Group is not offering the vaccine at this time. This information is for educational purposes **
How the COVID-19 vaccine works and how it is different from previous vaccines
Vaccinations have been around for a long time and go as far back as 1796 when the first vaccine was developed. However, the widespread use of vaccinations to help fight diseases like Smallpox, Diphtheria or Pertussis (whooping cough) were first made available in the 1940s. Most vaccines are developed using specific types of technology that triggers an immune response. These vaccines put a weakened or inactivated germ into our body so when the real bug comes around, the body has the memory of how to fight it off much faster.
The COVID-19 vaccine is a little bit different. The technology behind this vaccine is something called a messenger RNA vaccine (mRNA) vaccine. Instead of giving us a weakened version of the germ, mRNA vaccines teach our cells how to make a protein that triggers an immune response inside our bodies. This helps to provide protection against the virus.
How the COVID-19 vaccination is given
The COVID-19 vaccination is given as two separate shots. You will need to get one shot and come back 3-4 weeks later for the second shot. Both shots must be taken for the vaccine to work.
Instructions about the process will be provided at the time the vaccination is being administered.
What the COVID-19 vaccine will do and what it will NOT do
The COVID-19 vaccine is new. It is meant to provide protection against getting infected with COVID-19.
However, scientists still do not know if the vaccination will stop people from spreading COVID-19. Although the COVID-19 vaccine will provide you with protection from the virus itself, you can still be a carrier of COVID-19 and unknowingly pass it on to others. For that reason it is important to still practice mask wearing, good hand hygiene and social distancing where appropriate.
How safe is the COVID-19 vaccine?
The COVID-19 vaccines developed by Moderna and Pfizer-BioNTech have been approved for use by the Food & Drug Association (FDA). Both vaccines have been tested for safety and effectiveness and have gone through rigorous clinical trials to make sure that they meet the highest safety standards.
Getting vaccinated with the COVID-19 vaccine will save lives. For those wanting more information about the vaccine and its safety or efficacy, speak to your doctor or visit a reputable website such as the Centers for Disease Control (CDC): https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/vaccines/index.html
When can you receive the vaccine?
The ultimate goal is for all Americans to be able to easily get vaccinated against COVID-19 as soon as possible. At present there is a shortage of vaccines but health authorities are making every effort to speed up the process and increase capacity.
The CDC has released guidelines on which groups of individuals should be prioritized to receive the vaccine.
- Healthcare personnel and long-term care facility residents.
- Frontline essential workers and People age 75 years and older.
- People aged 65 through 74 years and People aged 16 through 64 years with underlying medical conditions.
- Other essential workers
Pregnancy and the COVID-19 vaccine
The CDC and other independent advisory groups recommend that pregnant women who fall under one of the following occupation groups: Healthcare personnel, front-line healthcare workers or essential workers, consider getting the COVID-19 vaccination. These groups are at increased risk of contracting COVID-19
Studies have shown that infection with COVID-19 during pregnancy may increase the risk of admission to ICU, the need for mechanical ventilation and even death. That is compared to pregnant women who do not contract COVID-19. Therefore, given the high-risk nature of these jobs and the chance of pregnancy complications, pregnant women in these areas of work should strongly consider getting vaccinated.
Because the COVID-19 vaccine has still not undergone large-scale testing on pregnant women there is no safety data specific to use in pregnant women. At the moment, there is no advisory for pregnant women who do not work in these high-risk fields to get vaccinated. However, women who believe they should receive the vaccine are urged to speak to their doctor or obstetrician. They can discuss the risks and benefits of vaccinations as it relates to their own specific pregnancy.
As information about COVID-19 becomes more readily available, guidelines on the vaccine may evolve. Your doctor will be in the best position to discuss your own case with you and any concerns you may have.