Simplifying the COVID-19 Vaccines: What You Need to Know

As the year 2021 kicks off, the COVID-19 pandemic continues into the new year with many questions about the release and disbursement process of the vaccines. Around the country, more than 100 million Americans are uncertain and skeptical about the vaccines due to the safety and side effects of the vaccines. There are currently two FDA unapproved vaccines, and they are to be used under Emergency Use Authorization (EUA). Healthcare professionals and senior living residents are two groups that are authorized to receive a COVID-19 vaccine. Already, many healthcare workers across the country have begun the vaccination process. The general public can get vaccinated once these vaccines are approved for large scale administration and there is a vaccine more broadly available in the United States.
How mRNA Vaccines Work
The two vaccines that are currently being used are the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine and the Moderna COVID-19 Vaccine. Both of these are classified as mRNA vaccines. Unlike other vaccines, this type does not inject the virus into an individual. Instead, mRNA vaccines create a protein that triggers an immune response to produce antibodies. Obtaining antibodies for COVID-19 protects individuals from getting infected when they come in contact with the virus.