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After months of quarantine, mask mandates, and TikTok binges, many Americans are ready for life to go ‘back to normal.’ With a vaccine right around the corner, it looks like there may still be light at the end of the tunnel for everyone affected by the coronavirus pandemic. Recently, several companies have announced promising results as their vaccines near the end of the final stage of clinical trials. But will this vaccine be enough to reopen America?
A few weeks ago, Pfizer and BioNTech announced that their vaccine had an efficacy rate of 95% and subsequently submitted an Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) request to the FDA. If the FDA grants this request, the Pfizer and BioNTech vaccines could be available to high-risk groups by the end of this year. Just one week later, Moderna also reported that their vaccine produced a similar efficacy rate and will most likely seek approval from the FDA soon. Earlier this week, UK-based AstraZeneca publicized their results for two different dosing regimens, with an average efficacy of 70% and the added advantage of a lower cost and more convenient distribution. Overall, it looks like things are taking a turn for the better, but these new developments also come with controversies.
Although personal safety is important, it’s also vital to understand that getting a vaccine doesn’t just affect you, but everyone around you as well. Some people can’t get vaccinated, or have weaker immune systems, but they can still lead healthy lives because of herd immunity: when a large enough percentage of people around them are vaccinated for diseases that they are susceptible to. Reaching this level of protection within a population makes it extremely difficult for a disease to spread because the infectious agent would have to find and invade a few specific individuals in a population of millions, which would be like picking the right lottery numbers every week in order to stay alive. Achieving herd immunity has already allowed the US to almost eradicate historically devastating plagues like measles and smallpox, and once the vaccine comes out, it will be our best defense against a contagious and deadly disease like Covid-19.
As prospective Covid-19 vaccines enter final-stage clinical trials, many Americans may think that the imminent distribution of vaccinations is a reason to relax strict health protocols. However, experts say that the arrival of the Covid-19 vaccine does not warrant the end of face coverings, hand-washing, and social distancing. In fact, David Salisbury, the former director of immunization at the Department of Health, states “We can only do that [give up present restrictions] if the coronavirus disappears or turns into something like a cold, or we vaccinate so many people that we achieve population ‘herd’ immunity.” A vaccine may not guarantee complete immunity. It’s not a silver bullet that justifies neglecting other transmission-preventing strategies. Although it looks like science has managed to save the day, the battle is ultimately far from over. As Americans, we have to remain vigilant and responsible to preserve the well-being of our people.
