We're hoping to end the pandemic this year, but that'll depend largely on most people rolling up their sleeves and getting the vaccine. From recent polling, we know a large section of society is having second thoughts. No matter the scientist, the leader in the White House, or the evidence, skepticism remains.
We know a rural emergency room nurse here in Arkansas. She's had both doses of a covid-19 vaccine. Her report seems promising, but we'll let you be the judge:
The first thing people want to know about the vaccine are side effects. Our friend said hers were limited to a sore arm and a few aches. Those didn't show up until the second dose.
"The first dose didn't really affect me at all," she said. "I had some soreness at the injection site for a day, like any shot, but it was gone quickly. The second dose, I woke up the next day feeling achy. I took some Tylenol, and by 10 a.m., I was completely fine."
While some folks are nervous about getting the vaccine (even some health-care workers), this nurse wasn't. She said it's been well-funded and tested for safety: "I firmly believe it is as safe as our other vaccines. I was eager to protect myself, my family and my patients."
Wearing a mask, social distancing, and getting the vaccine: It's not just about you. If you choose to take measures that'll reduce the odds of virus spread, you're taking care of your neighbors, your family, your coworkers and more. Getting the vaccine is a selfless act.
With all that said, the emergency room nurse said she understands why folks unfamiliar with medicine would be nervous about getting vaccinated.
"At face value, it does seem strange that the vaccine was available so quickly when others have taken years," she said.
Then she went on to explain the difference is this vaccine has been better funded than others due to how deadly the pandemic has become.
This has been a problem affecting the entire world, killing millions. So those with money were eager to throw resources at scientists to fix the problem. She continued:
"There is a rumor going around that the vaccine will change your DNA. That is not possible; mRNA from the vaccine never enters the nucleus of the cell and doesn't affect or interact with a person's DNA."
A big challenge for the vaccines available is the requirement of cold storage. Seeing as the nurse we spoke to works in a rural hospital, she said it won't be responsible for storing the vaccines.
"That will fall to local pharmacies," she said. "Anyone wanting to be vaccinated will register online, and the pharmacy will then notify them to come by for it."
One of the biggest unknowns for these vaccines isn't what they'll do to you, but how long they'll keep you protected from covid-19. Both vaccines approved in the U.S. now are about 95 percent effective at protecting you from the virus (which is superb).
But the nurse said she wasn't told how long that immunity will last.
"I think the length of immunity will depend on how quickly the virus mutates. I suspect the covid vaccine will eventually become available/updated yearly, like the flu vaccine," she said.
Each person you can persuade to get the vaccine increases the odds mankind will beat covid-19. The emergency room nurse said she's encouraged all her family to get it when possible. And good news, most of them are planning to do just that. Kind of hard to argue when your daughter/sister/niece is a medical professional.
"I have personally had a good experience, and I am proud to be able to provide a first-hand account of that to ease minds," she said.
The vaccine rollout in Arkansas has been among the slowest in the nation, but keep an eye on the headlines. When your turn eventually comes, get ready to roll up your sleeve. Our country depends on it.