“I don’t want to grow an extra arm.”

“I don’t want the virus injected into me.”

“It was made so fast, vaccines usually take years to make. It isn’t safe.” 

These are some of the responses that people have given regarding the coronavirus vaccines, including the one about the third arm.

 As 2020 came to a close, two COVID-19 vaccines (the Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna treatments) were beginning to be administered to healthcare workers.

But apart from the advent of a new medical innovation, there’s been hesitation throughout the United States about receiving the shot. 

Skepticism reflects how quickly the vaccine was made, its potential side effects, and the fear of getting COVID-19 from the vaccine. 

“They’ve been doing research on this mRNA, which is a type of vaccine for several years. So when this virus showed up, they already had some of the research done so they were able to develop the vaccine quickly,” said electrophysiologist and cardiologist, Jackie Eubany, who has already received the vaccine. 

Strong funding and a large number of volunteers certainly played a significant part in the fast arrival of the vaccine. 

Like all medical innovations, patients who’ve received the Pfizer and the Moderna injections have reacted to the shot. Having side effects is expected, as the human body builds a resistance to the virus. 

“People expect to have horrible side effects. But the side effects are minimal. You feel like you have the flu-like symptoms and it only lasts for a short period of time,” said Eubany.

Some side effects include pain from the location of the shot, fever, headache, fatigue, tiredness, chills and joint pain. However, they’re all temporary, and some people report no symptoms at all. 

Regardless of the fear, the CDC reports that no one can get COVID-19 from the Pfizer or Moderna vaccination. 

The vaccine provides cells that will remember how to fight the virus as needed. Yet the creation of those cells takes about three weeks, so those who’ve received the vaccination aren’t fully vaccinated until the cells are fully formed. 

“My hope is that enough of the population will get the vaccine so the disease stops spreading. If we get people immunized then this will no longer be an epidemic,” said Andrew Breiterman, the Director of Diagnostic Services at Orange County Global Medical Center. 

Until the vaccination is widely available, the public should act with a sense of awareness and responsibility. With COVID-19 cases still on the rise, it’s crucial that everyone continues to do their part. 

“Some (people with COVID-19) will get better. But sometimes it can be very hard to treat. That’s why we all have to wear a mask, wash our hands, and avoid crowds,” said Breiterman.  “Do whatever you can to prevent yourself from getting it.” 

For those who are not at risk for the virus, there are many others that are. People who are over 50 or have underlying health issues could be subject to severe symptoms and even death from the virus. 

“This virus affects every single organ system in your body. It causes your lungs to be dense and you can’t breathe. It affects your heart and could cause a heart attack. It could cause strokes,” Eubany said. “It could cause so many after-effects I’d much rather have the side effects of the vaccine than go through having a covid infection.”