The Covid Vaccine is finally here. Click HERE for Idaho and HERE for Oregon to determine if you are eligible for the vaccine now.

Recently, I’ve been answering questions about the vaccine and if people should get vaccinated.

First, let me reveal that I decided to get vaccinated. The first shot was painless, but my arm did hurt for a day. I suffered no other side effects.

The biggest benefit of these vaccines is the head start they give our immune systems to combat the virus before symptoms arise. The two FDA approved vaccines (Moderna and Pfizer) have 94-95% effectiveness after 2 doses are provided. This means that, in clinical trials, vaccinated individuals had 95% less risk than control group participants of developing symptoms or being tested positive for the virus. The Johnson and Johnson vaccine is also currently FDA approved; it has 66% effectiveness after one dose.

Importantly, no participants in any of the 3 vaccine vaccinated groups needed to be hospitalized or died from Covid-19 after the vaccine took full affect. Even one dose of the Moderna or Pfizer vaccines showed protectiveness against serious illness 6-7 weeks after one dose. Read an article about these vaccines HERE.

Because the Covid-19 virus is here to stay, including with new variants, we will need to remain vigilant and compliant about social distancing and wearing masks, even after being vaccinated. Another reason to stay vigilant about masking is that current vaccinations have not been tested on children and infection rates are climbing in the pediatric population.

In my assessment, vaccination is probably one of the major tools that will allow us to reduce chronic illness, hospitalization, and death from Covid-19.

Who should NOT get the vaccine: Anyone who has significant reactions to the ingredients, specifically polyethylene glycol. One other nice thing about the vaccine is that, unlike many traditional vaccines, it is NOT grown on eggs. To read more about the currently approved vaccines, please read my article HERE.

For more fun, a February 20, 2021 New York Times interactive article provides some insight on when we may get to herd immunity and reduce mortality, depending on vaccination rates and preventative measures. See article HERE. Be sure to play with the interactive tabs!