I’m sure we’ve all seen and heard the comments and skepticism on the various COVID-19 vaccines. Some people are for it, and others are strongly against it. Whether it be because of a theoretic conspiracy, or a personal belief, getting the vaccine has been a dilemma for some people.
We’ve seen the news and heard the stories too, especially reports from countries in the European Union about the risks involved in taking the AstraZeneca Vaccine after blood clot concerns. For a while, countries in that region suspended the use of the vaccine but after more research, the administration of the vaccine was resumed. In hindsight, according to the World Health Organization, the benefits of the AstraZeneca vaccine greatly outweigh the risks.
The concerns are warranted, we agree. But take a look at the number of blood clot cases reported to the number of people vaccinated in that region. Over 17 million people in Europe have been vaccinated and less than 50 people have reported cases of blood clots.
Is that enough to warrant panic?
It’s been said that there has been no scientific link between the reported deadly side effects with the vaccine. Of course, not everything that negatively follows a vaccine is caused by said vaccine, but with the doubts surrounding the vaccines and the virus itself, speculation is expected.
But either way, we have questions for you; Are you getting the vaccine? Do you have all the necessary information? Can’t make up your mind? Maybe we can help.
Depending on the type of vaccine, or depending on the manufacturer, the vaccine may contain a weakened form of the virus, part of the virus or its genetic material, according to the Ministry of Health. The vaccine provides your body with the ability to use the contents to create fighter cells to attack the virus.
But how safe is it? The vaccine gives you a certain level of immunity to the virus that should protect you from spreading it to others and is less likely to multiply in the body. With continued research going on, the vaccine is deemed safe after a series of tests and were administered.
The safety of the vaccine is usually called into question when people look at how quickly it was made and approved for administering. Yes, it was quicker than any other vaccination process, but let’s look at some factors that were made known to us.
- New scientific data and approaches that help speed up the process
- Modern technology
- The level of funding available for research and development
- Existing research and development from previous vaccinations for similar viruses
It makes sense, right? The urgency to create a foolproof vaccine and the effort and energy from scientists worked out in our favor. Is it quicker than we expected? Yes. But that’s the upside of teamwork, determination and in all honesty, desperation.
While the vaccine is not a cure for COVID-19, it helps the body boost the immune system to fight the virus. A cure would be great, but for now we can work with a little immune system signal boost. If you’ve ever been infected with COVID-19, it is encouraged to still take the vaccine after recovery, to help limit the chance of future infection.
Worldwide, a number of vaccines have been tested and approved for administration, but only certain types of vaccines can work in Saint Lucia. In April and August of 2021, Saint Lucia was given the AstraZeneca Vaccine, developed by Oxford University and AstraZeneca and Pfizer developed by Pfizer respectively.
Are you eligible to take the vaccine?
People who are infected with COVID-19 should wait until they’re fully recovered to take either vaccine. Pfizer is available for anyone 12 years and older whereas AstraZeneca is available ONLY for people 18 years and older. If you have high fever, or high blood pressure, you should see your doctor before taking the vaccine.
If you’re eligible to take the vaccine, you should be aware that, like most medications and vaccines, there are a few side effects that you need to be prepared for.
- Nausea
- Chills
- Fever
- Joint pain
- Muscles aches
- Fatigue
- Headache
- Swelling/redness at the injection site
- Tenderness/discomfort at the injection site
If you have one or more of these symptoms, you can take a non-prescription painkiller to ease your discomfort.
Taking the vaccine has, and hopefully will always be a personal choice, but getting back to a relatively normal way of life is everyone’s current goal. With a virus that has killed millions of people worldwide and almost 60 people right here in Saint Lucia, doing what you can should be your main priority. At the very least, while you’re contemplating whether or not you should take the vaccine, ensure that you’re following all existing protocols such as keeping a six feet distance, washing your hands, wearing your mask over both your mouth and nose and staying home as much as possible.
With that being said, will you be taking the AstraZeneca or Pfizer vaccines?
