Ever since the world seemed to stop in March of 2019, people around the world have desperately awaited the release of a vaccine that would slow the spread and put an end to this global pandemic. That being the case, it has been 10 months of waiting and in present circumstances, it is now January of 2021. Once upon a December, Pfizer submitted their vaccine with an efficiency rate of over 90% to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for authorization, and has received approval to administer the coronavirus vaccine and distribute it to millions. The first citizens to receive the vaccine will be the most “vulnerable,” which include healthcare workers and residents of long-term care facilities.

New York nurse Sandy Lindsay was the first American citizen to receive the vaccine, and publicly stated, “I feel like healing is coming,” and millions hope this will prove true. Just as this vaccine is being distributed to millions, Director Dr. Robert Redfield of Centers for Disease Control states, “The reality is December and January and February are going to be rough times. I actually believe they’re going to be the most difficult time in the public health history of this nation.” Luckily the vaccine has already been distributed, though at the moment most Americans do not have the opportunity to take it, Dr. Anthony Fauci, the director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases stated on November 30, 2020 that by June of 2021, 100 percent of Americans that want the vaccine will be able to get it.

Many citizens worry about the side effects when a vaccine is mentioned. For the COVID-19 vaccine, the side effects include fatigue, muscle pain, headaches, chills, or a slight fever, which are very similar to the symptoms of the virus itself. However these symptoms usually only last from 24-48 or less hours.  

Many former Presidents of the United States such as Barack Obama, George W. Bush, and Bill Clinton have publicly supported the vaccine and taken it on camera to help ease the fear of many citizens who are skeptical and concerned about the vaccine. Former President Obama has stated that people like Anthony Fauci are people he trusts completely and, “if Anthony Fauci tells me this vaccine is safe, and can vaccinate, you know, immunize you from getting Covid, absolutely, I’m going to take it.”

During times of uncertainty, words from trusted leaders such as Obama can feel like a reassuring hand on the shoulder, alleviating and reducing the worries of citizens in more ways than many realize.

https://www.rollingstone.com/culture/culture-news/covid-vaccine-coronavirus-herd-immunity-1097903/