Covid-19 is a global pandemic that has not only affected human health but also the economy of the world. It has become the most serious health problem around the world, brought social and economic burden to all countries. There was an urgent need to have a vaccine as soon as possible. Most countries participated in the development of an effective vaccine. Over 100 vaccines were tested but only a few seemed promising. Pfizer vaccine has shown promising results, hence declared as one of the most effective medicines of covid-19. It is used to cure pneumonia and will be given to grownups who are 18 years old or above. It works in the body quickly and makes syndicate sugar chains of pneumococcal polysaccharide, which is already set on each serotype shallow.
In the UK an elderly lady has become the first person in the world to be given this vaccine. She is Margaret Keenan, 90 years old, who will turn 91 next week. This vaccine is her early birthday present. She further said, “I feel so privileged to be the first person vaccinated against covid-19”. She advised that everyone should get it, if I can have it at 90 then you can have it too. Everyone in the hospital clapped for this brave lady.
The UK has more than 60,000 covid cases in the 2nd wave of the corona. It could be the peak of the pandemic’s 2nd wave. Death is 20% higher than last year’s average. The UK has placed an order for a vaccine for 40 million in total which will be enough for 20 million. Two doses will be required for full immunity.
UK has received 800,000 doses of this vaccine (Pfizer/ BioNTech). It will be dispensed in the coming weeks. It is said that UK will vaccinate elderly people first then NHS staff. It is decided to vaccinate the vulnerable first and make life normal again. President Boris Johnson also visited the hospital and said “good for you and good for the country”. Another first minister of Scotland said, “Today we should all allow ourselves a smile- but we must not drop our guard.”
More than 50 hospitals around the country have started to give vaccine to patients and health workers. V- Day is celebrated all over the country, as UK is set to receive a coronavirus jab. The pharmaceutical industry has invested a lot on this vaccine. Hopefully, this vaccine is going to change the world. As everyone is eager to get injected with the vaccine, few people are a little worried to put something into their bodies.
How to know if the vaccine is safe?
- Pfizer vaccine is tested on all ages
- Less risky
- Safe and effective
- List will be kept, whoever has taken the vaccine
- Vials contain vaccine doses, can be stored in a fridge for five days.
- Pregnant ladies are not advised to take this vaccine.
- Vaccine been done quickly but completed all steps.
- Showed promising results.
- No side effects are shown and are extremely rare; whereas the virus has long-term side effects.
- Pfizer vaccine is effective after 2 doses.
Now you must be thinking about who will get the doses first; the following are the details of who will get the dose:
- Older people
- Frontline health workers
- Social care workers
- 16 to 64 years olds with serious health issues
- Clinically extremely vulnerable individuals
This vaccine is a game-changer because it is more than good news to have it. We are hopeful that this vaccine will bring back the old days. Doctors will be able to see the patients face to face and hold their hands again. Everyone is looking forward to a world free of the coronavirus. Dr. Daniel told, “I was ecstatic to hear the news a vaccine is now becoming possible and we are getting closer”.
Many NHS workers haven’t seen their families since March and this vaccine is a blessing for them. Everybody wants to enjoy the festive season because this virus has stuck everyone inside homes for a long time. People want to go out and have fun as they used to do before the pandemic.
Today people of UK are happy to get the first jab of the Pfizer vaccine. We should still follow the SOPs because the vaccine will take 12 days to make immunity. The Pfizer vaccine cannot be stored at a normal temperature. NHS workers are following the precautions and keeping the vaccine in ultra-cold storage. It cannot be stored in homes. UK is still trying to make its vaccine which can be stored in fridges and easier to distribute. Oxford University is trying to develop the vaccine. If the vaccine gets the green signal then the UK will produce its own product. Hopefully, 2021 will be a good year for the world.
What role do trials have?
Trials play an important role. When Pfizer vaccine was made, around 40,000 people volunteered. Half of them were given the actual vaccine while the other got the dummy jab. To avoid bias, people were not told which group has taken the vaccine. Then the findings are checked independently. This vaccine has shown promising results. UK Oxford University also trialed their vaccine. They had to put it on hold when one participant died. Now they restarted the trial again when they knew that the participant’s death was not related to the vaccine.
What’s in the Covid vaccine?
Pfizer vaccine used genetic code to create an immune response, called mRNA vaccine. It does not change human cells but give instructions to build immunity.
What does a vaccine do?
Vaccines do not give you any disease. To create the body’s immunity so that it can recognize and fight the infection. There are no allergic reactions to this vaccine. Mild temperature or ache are felt after being vaccinated, that’s only body’s response to the vaccine.
Hopefully, this vaccine is going to save a lot of lives. Let’s hope for the best. The covid vaccine appears to be very effective.
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