Frontline News, Edition 10
March 10, 2021
WE ARE STARTING TO SEE THE LIGHT
A MESSAGE FROM 1199 SENIOR EVP VERONICA TURNER-BIGGS
VACCINATION PACE PICKS UP
When President Biden took over in January, a key priority was to increase the number of vaccines delivered to states. By mid-February, the Biden administration announced it had increased by 57% the weekly number of doses shipped to states. That increase in supply is now increasing the pace of vaccinations. Over the past week, states have seen a dramatic uptick in the number of people receiving a vaccine dose. New York increased by 65%. Massachusetts went up by 33%. Florida increased by 30%. New Jersey went up by 24% and the District of Columbia increased by 3%. We are still not at a point where everyone who wants a vaccine can get it, but the supplies are increasing, and more and more people are stepping up to take their shot.
I’VE RECEIVED THE VACCINE. NOW WHAT?
Am I immune right away?
It takes several weeks for your body to build immunity after vaccination, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. That means you will not reach peak protection in the early weeks right after your vaccination. For vaccines that require two doses, protection is typically achieved seven to 14 days after the second shot, infectious disease experts say. Can I pass the virus along to someone else? Scientists are still learning how well the vaccines prevent people from spreading the virus. In the interest of speed, vaccines were designed primarily with the goal of preventing severe illness and death, not stopping transmission of the virus. But the limited research so far has shown promise, and experts say they’re condent that the vaccines reduce transmission.
Do I still need to practice social distancing and wear my mask?
Public health officials recommend that vaccinated people continue to practice social distancing and wear masks in public spaces. Especially in the early weeks after getting fully vaccinated, when you’re still vulnerable to catching the virus, you should keep wearing your mask. You may be fully vaccinated, but millions of others remain unprotected. Your mask helps protect others.
Do the vaccines protect against the new virus variants?
While Moderna and Pfizer said their vaccines were effective against the variant first discovered in Britain, some shots are less protective against the variant in South Africa. The Johnson & Johnson vaccine had a 64 percent efficacy rate in South Africa.
FAQs/Questions/Links/InfoFAQs compiled and updated regularly by 1199’s Benefit Fund and the first place to go for questions about the Covid-19 vaccine, where to get it, and other concerns. Other questions about the COVID-19 vaccine? Email us at: VaccineQuestions@1199.org |