It has been well over a year since the pandemic started and it is safe to say that every single person wants to return to a normal life. The COVID-19 vaccine is now becoming accessible for more and more groups of people, allowing for a chance of a somewhat normal life again. 

According to Mayo Clinic, “vaccines with FDA emergency use authorization include: the Pfizer-BioTech COVID-19 vaccine, Moderna COVID-19 vaccine, and the Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine,”

There are currently three vaccines that are available right now. The Pfizer vaccine is proved to be 95% effective, with 2 doses, in preventing Covid-19 symptoms. The Moderna vaccine is proved to be 94% effective, with 2 doses,  in preventing symptoms. The J&J vaccine is proved to be only 66% effective with one single dose. The Pfizer vaccine must be taken 21 days apart while the Moderna vaccine must be given 28 days apart. The Johnson & Johnson vaccine is currently on hold as the CDC has recommended a pause on distributing due to blood clotting reactions in a small number of people who got this vaccine. 

If you are wondering if you are eligible for the vaccine, the CDC has just updated their guidelines, allowing every Californian over 16 eligible for vaccinations. You don’t have to be an essential worker, or someone who is high risk with their health conditions. As long as you are over the age of 16 years old, you should be able to get the vaccine.

“None of the authorized and recommended COVID-19 vaccines or COVID-19 vaccines currently in development in the United States contain the live virus that causes COVID-19. This means that a COVID-19 vaccine cannot make you sick with COVID-19,” was stated by the CDC. 

Many people are discouraged from getting the vaccine because of certain myths that are spread about the vaccine. The CDC debunks most rumors and states that the vaccine cannot make you sick with COVID-19. The goal of the vaccine is to develop an immunity response to it. Vaccines may come with side effects like tiredness, headaches, muscle pain, chills, fever, etc. but these are completely normal and would only occur for a short time being. These side effects are a sign that your immunity is building. 

Now, getting vaccinated is not something the CDC can mandate or require one to get. But, widespread vaccination is absolutely necessary to help put an end to this pandemic. Therefore, it is extremely important to do your part and get vaccinated and help everyone’s lives return to normal. 

Thinking of getting vaccinated but don’t know where to start or make an appointment? Don’t worry, it is fairly easy. Depending on where you are eligible to get one, you can click here for information about COVID-19 vaccine clinics in Placer County. Appointment availability varies day to day so it is important to check this page often. If you are NOT scheduling your appointment through your healthcare system (ex: Kaiser, Sutter), click this link. Placer county residents can currently text “PLACERVACCINE” to 898211 to get text updates when there are appointments available.