Is it worth the shot?

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Madison Bledsoe, Staff Writer

 

Covid-19 this. Covid-19 that. 

With scientists and doctors doing excessive amounts of  research over the past year, they might have found a way to get this annoying virus to stay in the history books and not continue to be a nuisance around the world.

This virus can possibly be stopped with a vaccine.  But some people are on the fence about whether to get the shot.

When hearing the term antivaxer, the first thing that comes to mind is “Antivaxing Karen,” who is unwilling to take blame and asks for the manager. 

But given the severity of COVID-19, and now, with an available vaccine,  many are wondering if that’s the approach to take. 

For those wanting the vaccine, there are choices which include the Pfizer-BioNtech vaccine and the Moderna option.

The Pfizer vaccine is two shots given 21 days apart while the Moderna is two shots given with 28 between.

According to the CDC, the Pfizer vaccine is recommended for those 16 and up while the Moderna is for 18 years and older.

Other than the point to stop the harsh spread of Covid, a good reason to get the vaccine is to protect the unprotectable.

Some people cannot get vaccinated because their immune systems are too weak. Some people don’t want to get the vaccine because they want to get immunity naturally or just in general don’t want to get vaccinated. 

Over the course of the past year more and more people have thought about getting the vaccine, but less than 50 percent are still hesitant, and that is reasonable.

Like any illness, the vaccine will not eliminate the entire disease, but it will limit the spread and the severity. 

According to the CDC, “If you are vaccinated against COVID-19, you may still be exposed to the virus that causes COVID-19. After exposure, people can be infected with or ‘carry’ the virus that causes COVID-19 but not feel sick or have any symptoms. Experts call this “asymptomatic infection.”

Whether getting the vaccine is on the to-do list or not, there are still things people can do to help prevent the spread, like masking, handwashing and social distancing.