President Biden starts off 2021 with a brand new proposal to purchase 200M more COVID-19 vaccines for the United States to administer.  

The vaccinations are currently in the phase where they are available to high-risk citizens, essential workers, and those over the age of 75. Anthony Crisostomo, an essential worker who has received the vaccine recently, has “[yet] to completely trust it” since the time spent developing the vaccine has ended within a one-year time frame.  

According to the CDC’s ‘Understanding the mRNA COVID-19 Vaccines’, The unique technique that is used by the current vaccines, Moderna and Pfizer is called mRNA (messenger RNA). The function of mRNA vaccinations is to take a tiny piece of genetic material from the virus for the body to “trigg[er] an immune response inside our bodies.” 

Since the amount taken from the actual virus is so little, it is impossible for the vaccination to become viral and the body to gain any of COVID’s symptoms. 

 The CDC further explains, “That immune response, which produces antibodies, is what protects us from getting infected if the real virus enters our bodies.” 

Crisostomo was required to wear his mask along with more than 50 others while waiting in line at the hospital. After registering for the vaccine, he scanned a code that would take him to a website with information about it. 

Additionally, the hospital gave Crisostomo the option to contribute to daily surveys that would track down every symptom.  

“First it was every day, like how are you feeling? Are you experiencing any symptoms?” He says. On day one, he “felt a little tired and sore,” but stated that the next couple of days felt even worse. The common symptoms that appear after receiving the vaccine include pain, fatigue, chills, and headaches. The CDC states that these symptoms can “happen between 7 days of getting vaccinated.” 

Crisostomo says, “After day one, I was more tired and sore than the first day. I also had headaches. They all lasted for three days.” These symptoms most likely came from the needle and further proved that the body has noticed the unfamiliar vaccine and is working hard to fight it.  

There are many mixed standpoints on how effective and safe these vaccines can be due to their fast development that is almost incomparable to vaccines made for the flu and smallpox.  

In response to how qualified these vaccines are to most of our population, Dr. Seema Yasmin makes it clear that there is enough evidence that the dosages are safe. ` 

In her interview with Doctor Mikhail Varshavski, she says, “[If you] look at the history of vaccines and the reactions of vaccines, the vast majority [and] if not, maybe all of them occur within days after you get vaccinated or at most, about 4-5 weeks after vaccination and we have at least 8 weeks of safety data.” 

Availability for the vaccine will be increasing to 200M doses around the summertime and because each receiver requires two doses, 200M will only cover for around 100M citizens until more dosages are purchased. Crisostomo has successfully received his second dose after two weeks and feels exhilarated to travel for work safely.