Page 8 - Florida Sentinel 11-27-20

LocalWould You Take The COVID Vaccine? Some Say Yes...But BY MONIQUE STAMPS
Sentinel Feature Writer
In the nine months since the start of shutdowns and the rapid spread of the COVID-19 virus, the prom- ise of a cure or vaccine has been paramount to the na- tion’s future. With over 250,000 deaths and several states breaking records with new cases, the nation stands at a precipice while clinging to the hope that the national nightmare might soon be over.
Finally, there is real hope on the horizon. Two large pharmaceutical com- panies, Moderna and Pfizer/BioNTech, have an- nounced highly positive re- sults from their Phase 3 clinical trials of their COVID-19 vaccines.
According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), before any regulatory review there are three clinical phases that a drug must pass. Each phase has an in- creasingly larger group of test subjects. In the final phase, thousands of people are given the drug. On No- vember 16, 2020, Moderna reported its vaccine was 94.5 percent effective, based on interim data. Two days later, on November 18, 2020, Pfizer and German partner BioNTech said their vaccine was 95 percent effective at preventing the disease, based on full trial results.
Pfizer/BioNTech re- leased a statement on the full trial results, meaning that all clinical milestones had passed. Pfizer is one of
RUTH BELL
the largest pharmaceutical companies in the world, re- sponsible for drugs such as Lipitor, Viagra, and Lyrica. It partnered with German company BioNTech which is known for cell biology and designer immunotherapies for rare diseases. Their re- sults showed their vaccine to be 95% effective against COVID-19, beginning 28 days after the first dose. The results were consistent across age, gender, race, and ethnicity. In adults over the age of 65, the rate was 94%.
Moderna, a smaller company based in Cam- bridge, Massachusetts that focuses on immune re- sponses and stem cell re- search, met its goal in the first interim analysis of their Phase 3 COVID study with a vaccine efficacy of 94.5% with the caution of keeping the virus at 36 to 46 degrees for storage. Because the Moderna trials started later, their final results will likely come at the end of Novem- ber. The CDC requires a set
MONICA HARRIS, ESQ.
amount of time before in- terim results can be deemed final.
The FDA will have final approval over the two vac- cines once they can demon- strate safety and effectiveness on a large scale. The White House is said to have given the FDA permission to “fast track” approval. The first vaccines will be given to first respon- ders and front-line medical staff.
The Sentinel asked peo- ple about their view of the vaccine and whether they would take it:
RUTH BELL
“Yes, I would take the vaccine, but only after it has been proven safe for the gen- eral public after FDA ap- proval and a general roll-out.”
MARSHA LEWIS-BROWN
MONICA HARRIS, Esq.
“Yes, I would take the vaccine but only after the Biden-Harris administration is in place and their people are at the FDA and leading the COVID Task Force. I do not have confidence in the Trump administration to truthfully and carefully roll out the vaccine effort, espe- cially after they have loos- ened regulations at several federal agencies.”
LISA HARRIS LEIGH
“The Trump administra- tion’s complete mismanage- ment of the pandemic, combined with the rush to develop the vaccine, makes me leery about safety. I have no plan to get a vaccine until Dr. Fauci vouches for its safety.”
MARSHA LEWIS BROWN
RENEE LEE, ESQ.
“I am excited about the vaccine and want to take it. However, the safety of the vaccine must be at the fore- front. I will take it after the safety of the vaccine has been full vetted.”
RENEE LEE, Esq.
“Absolutely, I would take the vaccine after I was confident that it met all gov- ernment approvals and has been signed off on by the agencies in charge. And once President-Elect Biden and Vice-President-Elect Harris take it, I will be next in line!”
TANYA POOLE HUGHES
“I would not take it in the first round. I would wait until they work out any pos- sible kinks.”
SYLVIA ADAMS
“As of right now, I will not take the COVID-19 vac- cine for two reasons.
First, I do not take the flu shot or other vaccines. I pre- fer to use natural remedies to boost my immune system and not ingest any type of pharmaceutical drugs that I do not absolutely have to.
I also use the commonly sug- gested actions of frequent hand washing and keeping distance from those who are sick.
“Second, the COVID-19 vaccine was developed under such a cloud of misin- formation and political gam- ing that I believe public trust in it has been adversely af- fected. As a result, I will con- tinue to follow CDC guidelines until more is known about the vaccine.”
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