COVID-19 vaccine: Bring your questions, leave your doubts

Across Nebraska, the COVID-19 vaccine is now available to all adults. It’s a hopeful time, as we’re beginning to see a light at the end of the pandemic. The ultimate goal, of course, is to achieve “herd immunity” – the point when a large part of the population is immune to the virus.

The path to herd immunity, though, isn’t without challenges. Universal eligibility hasn’t translated into universal access, especially for rural or other hard-to-reach populations, including individuals who are homebound. We need to continue to address structural impediments standing in the way of many Nebraskans accessing COVID-19 vaccines.

Uncertainty about the COVID-19 vaccine is another key hurdle. The proportion of Americans who describe themselves as skeptical about the vaccine continues to register around 25%.

To achieve herd immunity, public health officials have stated that approximately 80% of the U.S. population needs to be vaccinated. What’s important about this goal is that it’s our path to being able to safely return to doing the things we love to do, and how we ensure we’re there for the people who care about us the most. That’s the message at the heart of the Pro Football Hall of Fame’s recent COVID-19 campaign. You can view all of those Public Service Announcements here: Pro Football PSAs

As a health partner to Nebraska residents, Nebraska Total Care wants to empower and inform the communities we serve by dispelling myths about the COVID-19 vaccine and building confidence so that we can all return to our lives. Negative sentiment towards the vaccine has been attributed to a number of factors such as distrust around the testing process and misinformation campaigns.

It’s important for anyone considering a COVID-19 vaccine to know that the Food and Drug Administration carefully reviewed safety data from the clinical trials and authorized vaccines only after measuring the benefits and risks. The FDA and CDC continue to closely monitor data related to safety. The bottom line? The vaccines that are currently available are safe and highly effective.

Recently, the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention reported that, under real-world conditions, full immunization with two doses of two of the most common vaccines was 90% effective in preventing infection.

The other important point for you to remember is that the vaccine does a great job of preventing death, serious illness and hospitalizations related to COVID-19, with some studies showing more than 90% effectiveness. The bottom line is that if you get vaccinated, it is very unlikely that you will become seriously ill or die because of the virus, and that’s the real name of the game.

Besides safety and efficacy, another part of education is making sure people know what to expect. Two COVID-19 vaccines currently available in the U.S. (made by Moderna and Pfizer) require two doses administered three to four weeks apart. Recipients receive a reminder card, so they don’t forget their second shot. One vaccine produced by Johnson and Johnson requires only one shot and has a smaller vaccine distribution program. While some people may run a fever after getting the vaccine, as well as experiencing chills, muscle aches, headache and fatigue, this is completely normal. In fact, that’s a sign the vaccine is working, as their bodies build immunity and fight off future COVID-19 exposures. Those side effects typically last 24 to 72 hours and then subside after that.

All of this is to say that the COVID-19 vaccine is the best path forward for safely returning to our lives. At this point, “normal” probably won’t look exactly like it did before COVID-19, but there are moments and experiences that we can reclaim, such as safely seeing our friends and family, enjoying community events, and other activities. By receiving the vaccine, Nebraska residents can disrupt the spread of the virus by preventing its transmission to friends and family, so we can all get back to doing the things that make life good.

When it comes to the COVID-19 vaccine, ask questions and learn what you can. At Nebraska Total Care, we encourage everyone to take an active role in their health and wellness, and this is no exception. Yes, there is information to digest, but the benefits to yourself, your family, and your friends make it worth it.