What are the Pros and Cons of the COVID Vaccine? Is it worth it?

There is still a lot that is unknown about the COVID-19 vaccines made by both Pfizer and Moderna, but does that mean it is unsafe to take?

COVID-19 has taken over our world in the past year. The virus has infected more than 107 million people and has claimed the lives of over 2.35 million people. The pandemic has affected virtually every aspect of our daily lives so scientists have been determined to come up with a vaccine to help slow the spread of the deadly virus. Considering how easily spread the coronavirus is, the virus is more or less the only way that scientists would be able to slow the infection rate. Although social distancing, mask mandates, and frequent disinfection of surfaces can help slow the spread, the most effective way to slow infection rates around the world. However, the idea of the vaccine can be highly controversial for many people. There has been a lot of information circulating the internet regarding the vaccine that can either make people feel more or less comfortable with getting the vaccine.

So far there have been two vaccines that have been approved by the FDA in the United States, and there are many more still in clinical trials. Both of these vaccines have many benefits to those who are more at risk for COVID-19. As outlined by the MAYO clinic both vaccines show an efficacy rate of either 94% or 95% meaning that almost everyone who takes the vaccine is protected against the virus. The main benefit of getting the vaccine for yourself is that it not only helps prevent you from getting the virus, even if somehow you do contract the virus it will help against you becoming seriously or fatally ill.

Getting the vaccine not only helps prevent you from getting the virus, but it also helps others from contracting the virus as well. Once you get the COVID vaccine, you are no longer able to spread the virus to others who could possibly be at higher risk. The more people who get the vaccine, the closer we come to a ‘herd immunity’ as a community and beating the virus. This gives the virus fewer ways to spread to others, and can also minimize the chance of mutations of the virus. Lastly, the two already FDA approved vaccines show early signs of helping to protect against other known variants of COVID-19 seen in other countries. While there are many great signs and benefits of taking the vaccine, like always there are some risks along with it as well.

Like with any vaccine, the possible side effects list is long including pain, fever, redness, swelling, nausea, vomiting, and so on. However, these symptoms don’t last long (1–2 days) and most people are only mildly affected by them. The guideline states that if you still feel unwell after getting vaccinated 3 days prior, you should self-isolate and call in to get tested.

The reason why a few people are still skeptical of this new vaccine is because of how rushed the vaccine developers were to get it out to the public. Because of the extenuating circumstances, researchers couldn’t afford to do long-term testing. Generally, there are three phases of clinical testing that are needed for vaccines to be considered safe. Each stage starting from 1 test a larger and more diverse population sample making sure there are no adverse effects. Some experts are worried that phase 3 testing was not thorough enough and are fearful that the world is rushing in unaware of the true consequences.

While it may be true that long-term effects have not been studied, vaccine developers and researchers are confident that the vaccines currently being offered to the public are completely safe and encouraging everyone to get vaccinated. “The vaccine has not taken any shortcuts based on safety,” Dr. Anthony Stephen Fauci says. And like all vaccines, this one too will not have adverse effects in the long run.

Overall while there does seem to be some risks and side effects of getting the COVID-19 vaccine, there does seem to be more benefits towards getting it. This being said, however, it turns the question into not if you should get the vaccine, but when you should get vaccinated. It’s a societal imperative if we are to overcome this pandemic that all of us who can get vaccinated must get vaccinated. Every person’s comfort level is different on the topic of getting vaccinated, not to mention when the vaccine will actually be available to you.