As the Covid vaccine roll-out continues, people across the United States are receiving the jab to protect themselves and their loved ones from contracting the deadly virus. The mass vaccination presents a great opportunity to cover some updates regarding its efficacy and many other things you need to know.
Whether you’re still unvaccinated, just had your first dose, awaiting your second dose, or completely vaccinated, it’s still essential to get updates about the vaccine. There’s still much we don’t know about the novel coronavirus, so being up-to-date is always beneficial.
FDA’s Emergency Use Authorization (EUA)
Even as the FDA grants a EUA to vaccine manufacturers, the FDA still expects them to continue the clinical trials and get full FDA approval and license. The ongoing clinical trials will allow us to know more about how safe and effective the vaccines are.
These are the vaccines that received the FDA’s EUA:
- Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine
- Moderna COVID-19 vaccine
- Janssen/Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine
Concerns About the Janssen/Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 Vaccine
There might be an increased risk of a rare and severe blood clotting disorder using the Janssen/Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine. Most of those who have been affected were women aged 18 to 49. And the condition happens at a rate of 7 for every 1 million vaccinated women in this age group. However, it is rare for women aged 50 and older and men of all ages.
The FDA and the CDC still recommend using the vaccine in the US since the benefits of the vaccine greatly outweigh the risks. If you are one of the individuals who received this vaccine, it would be beneficial to get more information about the symptoms and risks of blood clots.
Protection Against the Covid-19 Variants
Although research shows that Covid-19 vaccines have lower efficiency against the variants, the vaccines still protect you from severe Covid-19.
During the development of the Covid-19 vaccines, the vaccines were based on the S protein. And this was before the virus had variants from significant mutations. However, vaccine manufacturers are now developing boosters shots that would improve the protection against the variants.
Can Covid-19 Vaccines Keep People From Spreading the Virus When They’re Exposed?
Right now, what we know is that Covid-19 vaccines protect people from getting sick from the virus. However, we still don’t know if the vaccine can help prevent vaccinated people from spreading the virus if exposed to it.
As clinical studies are being done to know more about the virus and its effects, scientists may know if vaccines also prevent vaccinated individuals from spreading it.
Practicing Minimum Health Standards After Being Vaccinated
Even after being fully vaccinated, you should still observe minimum health standards such as frequent hand washing, social distancing, and masks. In curbing the transmission of the virus, getting vaccinated is not the only way to attain it. It has to be an effort made up of social distancing, masks, and vaccination.
Safety precautions should still be observed by vaccinated people when:
- In indoor public places
- Outdoors where it’s crowded, and there’s a high risk of transmission
- Visiting unvaccinated people indoors from more than one household
- Visiting an unvaccinated individual who is at increased risk of getting severe Covid-19 or lives with a person at increased risk
Closing Thoughts
Covid-19 and the vaccine developed against it are new and haven’t been extensively studied to know as much about them as we possibly could. The information that we know now is based on what was learned so far. That’s why it’s expected to have new updates from time to time about the virus and the vaccine as we begin to know more about them.
If you’d like to know more about Covid-19 vaccines or how to get them for your employees, Well Health Works is more than happy to provide any necessary assistance. WellHealth Works is committed to providing exceptional care for your employees for a healthy workplace. Call us now at 833-935-9355 or get in touch with us through our contact form to get started.
