The world could finally feel safer with COVID-19 on the loose. The United Kingdom became the first western country to approve the distribution of a COVID-19 vaccine. The drug companies Pfizer and BioNTech announced Wednesday that approval of the widespread use has been made. According to the report, studies show that it is up to 95% effective.
This move means that the U.K. is the first country to start vaccinating its patrons as it tries to break the surge of Europe’s deadliest COVID-19 outbreak. The disease has killed 1.5 million worldwide and has infected tens of millions more. If the vaccine proves successful, the rest of the world could start to ease.
Around the World
Reported cases in the United States have been as hot as the Comeon India. The same goes for countries like China and Russia. These countries have been working on the production of a vaccine, while China and Russia have already rolled out their own vaccine. This was done after late-state clinical trials. The production of a vaccine was moved to hyperspeed given the widespread of the virus. A typical vaccine can take about a decade to produce, while Pfizer/BioNTech took 10 months.
Taken from Pixabay
With the high demand, Pfizer/BioNTech are preparing for wider distribution to meet demand. According to a recent report, the U.S. is expected to make a decision next week on ordering the vaccine. Even if other countries reach out for the vaccine, supplies will have to be rationed from the start due to a short supply. Those at high risk will likely be the first ones to be given the vaccine. The vaccine will be given in two doses three weeks apart. The U.K. government announced that frontline health care workers and nursing home residents will be the first priority. The next in line will be older adults, while age counts have not been listed just yet.
The Validity
The shots made by the companies were tested on tens of thousands of people. Of the 170 first infectious people, eight people received the actual shot, while the rest received a dummy shot. The company found that these people were protected and did not report any side effects besides temporary pain and flu-like reactions immediately after the injection.
The experts caution that the vaccine still needs to be cleared for emergency use and is still experimental. Final testing must be conducted to confirm the use, while it is still to be determined if the vaccine will protect people from spreading the coronavirus. The vaccine has not been tested on anyone under the age of 12, nor pregnant women. From what it appears, the vaccine can help level the curve when it comes to higher risk patrons. It should be noted that this may not be 100% safe just yet. With more testing done, families should use their own digital technology to review updates and determine if they feel like this is safe for everyone.
A Need For A Vaccine
A COVID-19 vaccination will likely help you from getting COVID-19. While the possibility of getting COVID-19 is not completely wiped away once you get the shot, it may help you from getting seriously ill even if you do get COVID-19. Getting vaccinated will also protect other people that are around you and not only yourself. Experts are still conducting more studies to determine how a vaccine can affect a person’s illness, as well as its ability to withhold people from spreading the virus.
The push for distribution makes sense when you see the numbers of people diagnosed and/or killed from COVID-19. While wearing masks and social distancing help reduce a person’s chance of being exposed, these measures are simply not enough if the world wants to get back to any sort of normalcy. Vaccines will work with your immune system, so it will fight the virus more effectively if you are exposed.
Your Choice
In order for the world to get back to the pre-pandemic lifestyle we were all accustomed to living, the combination of a vaccine and the CDC’s guidelines will offer the best protection. Stopping a pandemic takes all the tools we have to offer. As medical experts learn how to reduce the spread of the disease, we have a fighting chance to stop this virus from spreading even further.
When the vaccine is distributed frequently, it is important to remember that it is your choice if you or your family wants to get vaccinated. For those who are pregnant, have small children, or have a fear tied to vaccinations, nobody is forcing you to be vaccinated. This will be a choice that you alone get to make. However, those same people should understand that the vaccine is necessary is slowing down COVID-19.