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A nurse prepares to inject a Covid-19 vaccine at Howard University Hospital in Washington, DC, on December 15, 2020.
Editor’s Note: With the Food and Drug Administration issuing the emergency use authorization for a vaccine to limit the spread of coronavirus, you may have questions about what this means for you. If you do, send them to The Conversation and we will find a doctor or researcher to answer them. Here, Dr. Jason McKnight, a primary care physician at Texas A&M University, answers five questions about ongoing implementation and distribution.
1. I feel like I can still stop wearing a mask even after getting vaccinated. Because?
It will probably be the continued recommendation that everyone wear a mask in public even after receiving the vaccine against COVID-19. Although these vaccines appear to be very effective in preventing infection by the disease, even with 95% effectiveness, this means that approximately 5% of people who receive the vaccine can still become infected. The use of a mask helps to decrease the transmission of the virus in those situations where the vaccine does not prevent the disease.
In addition, continuing to wear a mask can help prevent the spread of other respiratory illnesses, which can help prevent the health system from being overwhelmed, as we are already seeing during the pandemic. Finally, it is possible that some people who receive the vaccine may have an asymptomatic infection and wearing a mask also helps prevent the spread of disease in this situation.
2. If I have the Pfizer vaccine for the first dose, how can I make sure I have the Pfizer vaccine for the second time?
The distribution of the Pfizer vaccine is designed to suit the need for the second dose. The clinic, hospital, or pharmacy where you are vaccinated will keep a record of the vaccine you received, as will you, to ensure that your second dose matches the first.
3. How will public health experts monitor vaccine safety as it spreads to larger groups of people?
Public health experts and vaccine manufacturers will continue to track vaccine safety in a number of ways. First, vaccinated people will continue to be followed in clinical trials to ensure there are no long-term safety issues. In addition, there is what is called a phase IV post-marketing surveillance trial, which will allow many vaccinated people to be followed in the long term to ensure that no safety complications occur and to ensure that the vaccine remains as effective. as originally thought.
4. How will I know when I need to get a vaccine?
To find out when you need to be vaccinated, contact your state health department or health care provider. They will receive updates and more information about who should be vaccinated and when. If you have any questions about the vaccine and the time of administration, contact your doctor.
5. Where will I get a vaccine?
Although the exact distribution of vaccines is not yet solidified and depends on the state in which you reside, most vaccines are likely to be shipped to hospital systems, health care providers’ offices, and some pharmacies. . To find out where you can get vaccinated, contact your local health department or health care provider.
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By Jason R. McKnight, Assistant Professor of Clinic, Primary Care and Population Health, Texas A&M University
This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article.