Progress of COVID-19 Vaccination in New York State.
Scientists around the world have raced to develop an effective vaccine to stop the spread of the Coronavirus. Recent approval of the Johnson & Johnson emergency vaccine shows a 72 percent effective rate in the United States, but lower than Pfizer-BioNTech or Modernas’ 94–95 efficiency rate.
A portion of Americans are still hesitant to receive a vaccine even after the Center for Disease Control and prevention guarantees public safety of vaccines. In December 2019 communities turned inward after the coronavirus started to spread viciously around the world. New York State was one one of the worst hit areas now with 14% of the population with at least one vaccine dose and 8.1% fully vaccinated according to the New York State COVID-19 vaccine tracker.
The CDC’s data shows the vaccines are safe and recommended to fight COVID-19. . NYS is now in phase 1c which offers the three vaccines to people 65 or older. Both the Pfizer and Moderna COVID-19 vaccines require two shots.
“I got it because I’m over 65. I have high blood pressure, but other than that I’m healthy, but I did fit the list to be vaccinated” said Diana Johnson.
Amongst the 22 million people who have taken either Pfizer-BioNTech, or Moderna vaccine, side effects were expected and not serious compared to the vast majority.
“I did have a reaction from it, a mild reaction but enough to keep me awake most nights. So maybe it’s building antibodies”. said Johnson
The long awaited vaccines have been cleared for private distribution in most drug stores.
“I went to a local drugstore, I was number 35 getting the shot, it didn’t hurt, but I did wake up in the middle of the night and really did not feel well. And still don’t feel great today, but I think it’s a one day symptom thing. So I think when I get the second shot which is March 30, I think I will have more protection” said Diana.
The Vaccination progress is slow but promising in New York State. The New York region has administered 4,698,345 doses, serving only 8.1% of the population in New York State. Contact tracing. was introduced as a way to help slow the spread of COVID-19. COVID-19 vaccines tracers are crucial to the vaccination process.
“I would say in appearance the numbers are going down because people have figured out the system. And they just figure out the system. They don’t list everybody that they’ve been in contact with. So we don’t contact them so these numbers are going down when it actually all it is, is people who figured out the system” said Beckey Johnson a current COVID-19 tracer.
The CDC has made recommendations to create groups, or a tier, of people to be vaccinated. First Tier 1a which are Frontline healthcare personnel.Tier 1b includes Residents 75 years or older in long term care, and essential frontline workers like police and firefighters. Phase 1c offers it to people 65 years or older because they are at risk of hospitalization, illness and death from COVID-19. Now, who asks who gets priority to the vaccine.
“I think the elderly, I think those that are working in front lines, medical people, essential workers, restaurant people, those who are out in public all the time. I think teachers need to get it first. I think they have to be cautious with the children and I’d like to see it studied a little bit longer before they start giving it to children” said Johnson
Scientists around the world have raced to develop an effective vaccine to stop the spread of the Coronavirus. Recent approval of the Johnson & Johnson emergency vaccine shows a 72 percent effective rate in the United States, but lower than Pfizer-BioNTech or Merderona’s 94–95 efficiency rate. A portion of Americans are still hesitant to receive a vaccine even after the Center for Disease Control and prevention guarantees public safety of vaccines. In December 2019 communities turned inward after the coronavirus started to spread viciously around the world. New York State was one one of the worst hit areas now with 14% of the population with at least one vaccine dose and 8.1% fully vaccinated according to the New York State COVID-19 vaccine tracker.
The CDC’s data shows the vaccines are safe and recommended to fight COVID-19. . NYS is now in phase 1c which offers the three vaccines to people 65 or older. Both the Pfizer and Moderna COVID-19 vaccines require two shots.
“I got it because I’m over 65. I have high blood pressure, but other than that I’m healthy, but I did fit the list to be vaccinated” said Johnson.
Amongst the 22 million people who have taken either Pfizer-BioNTech, or Moderna vaccine, side effects were expected and not serious compared to the vast majority.
“I did have a reaction from it, a mild reaction but enough to keep me awake most nights. So maybe it’s building antibodies”. said Johnson.
The long awaited vaccines have been cleared for private distribution in most drug stores.
“I went to a local drugstore, I was number 35 getting the shot, it didn’t hurt, but I did wake up in the middle of the night and really did not feel well. And still don’t feel great today, but I think it’s a one day symptom thing. So I think when I get the second shot which is March 30, I think I will have more protection” said Johnson
The Vaccination progress is slow but promising in New York State. The New York region has administered 4,698,345 doses, serving only 8.1% of the population in New York State. Contact tracing. was introduced as a way to help slow the spread of COVID-19. COVID-19 vaccines tracers are crucial to the vaccination process.
“I would say in appearance the numbers are going down because people have figured out the system. And they just figure out the system. They don’t list everybody that they’ve been in contact with. So we don’t contact them so these numbers are going down when actually all it is, people who figured out the system” said Rebecca Rogers.
The CDC has made recommendations to create groups, or a tier, of people to be vaccinated. First Tier 1a which are Frontline healthcare personnel.Tier 1b includes Residents 75 years or older in long term care, and essential frontline workers like police and firefighters. Phase 1c offers it to people 65 years or older because they are at risk of hospitalization, illness and death from COVID-19. Now, who asks who gets priority to the vaccine.
“I think the elderly, I think those that are working in front lines, medical people, essential workers, restaurant people, those who are out in public all the time. I think teachers need to get it first. I think they have to be cautious with the children and I’d like to see it studied a little bit longer before they start giving it to children” said Diana.
Moving forward the COVID-19 vaccination may become a regular yearly routine.
David J. Johnson is a senior in Journalism Broadcasting and Public Relations at SUNY Brockport.