By Brenda Panama
Slender disposable needle used to administer vaccine. (*)
Traditionally it takes 5-10 years to make a new vaccine but Pfizer and Moderna prevailed. Both were able to make vaccines by December 2020 and started distribution in January 2021.
The Pfizer vaccine is authorized for people 16 and older, while the Moderna’ is for people 18 and older. While both have different age restrictions, both vaccines are effective in their early stages after vaccination. The Pfizer vaccine showed an effectiveness of 95% seven days after the second dose, and the Pfizer vaccine appears to be more or less equally protective for different age and racial groups. The Moderna vaccine is 94.1% effective at preventing COVID-19 once 14 days have passed after the second dose. However, its effectiveness appears to be lower for people ages 65 years and older. The vaccine did appear to be equally effective for different racial groups.
Both vaccines require two doses to be taken. The interval between doses for the Pfizer vaccine is 21 days, while for the Moderna vaccine the recommended interval is 28 days. Each Pfizer vaccine shot contains 30 micrograms. Moderna’s dose is much larger, containing 100 micrograms.
Nurse holding vial of Moderna vaccine at a Manhattan distribution center.
Some side effects that can be caused by these vaccines are injection site pain, fatigue, headache, muscle pain, joint pain, and fever. Young adults have reported having more side effects than older adults. These side effects are no danger to the individual. It is simply an indication that the immune system has detected the virus. All vaccines are free for all citizens. Currently, we are in Phase 2 of the rollout, where essential safety workers and people older than 65 are eligible to take the vaccine. To make an appointment, click the link below and choose a site. Below, you can also find an interview done with an essential health worker to better understand the process of getting vaccinated.
Vaccine appointment link: https://vaccinefinder.nyc.gov
Essential Worker Interview
Q: Have you gotten COVID-19?
I got COVID-19 back when the first wave happened.
Q: What Vaccine did you take?
I took the Moderna vaccine.
Q: How were you able to get an appointment for the vaccine?
I heard on the news that I qualified for Phase A, as I am a Home Attendant. I searched online for testing sites, chose one, and made an appointment.
Q: Did you stand on line for the vaccine?
Yes, I did stand in line for the vaccine, but not for long since everyone was given their own time slot.
Q: As they administered the vaccine did you feel any side effects?
When they gave me the vaccine, I did not feel any side effects, but my arm did ache afterward.
Q: Have you felt any delayed side effects from the vaccine?
For a while on the next day, my arm ached more than the day before, and I felt really weak for the first few days.
Q: How do you feel about the Moderna Vaccine? Was it effective?
I’m grateful that I was able to take the vaccine, unlike so many other people. Although I have gotten side effects, I feel protected from the COVID-19 virus.
* (photos by: Carol Cooper)