As Concord Academy continues to welcome back a majority of its students to fully in-person learning, more and more faculty, staff, and students are getting vaccinated against COVID-19.
First released in the U.S. on December 15, 2020, over 170 million doses of the Pfizer vaccine have been administered over the past four months. Three different kinds of vaccines are now available: the Pfizer vaccine, the Moderna vaccine, and the Johnson & Johnson vaccine.
The Pfizer vaccine is administered in two doses, three weeks apart, to individuals sixteen or older. Similarly, the Moderna vaccine is given in two doses, one month apart, but only to individuals over 18 years of age. The Johnson & Johnson vaccine, however, is only one dose, also only available to those 18 years old or older. The Moderna and Pfizer vaccines both boast a promising 95% efficacy rate at preventing symptomatic COVID-19, while Johnson & Johnson is about 66%, according to the CDC.
Though many may experience little to no side effects, it is not uncommon for those who receive the vaccine to suffer from relatively mild headaches, fatigue, muscle pain, chills, fevers, or nausea. These side effects, however, are fortunately not long lasting.
It takes typically two weeks until the body properly builds immunity to COVID-19, though even after this it is important to maintain COVID guidelines, as people are just beginning to get their vaccines and CA requires that students and faculty follow protocols regardless.
We are so lucky to finally see the light at the end of a long, pandemic, tunnel. As vaccines are administered faster than ever, there is no choice but to have high hopes for the near future. Stay safe, and get that vaccine if you can!