FAQ: Everything you need to know about the Covid-19 vaccine in N.C. - Charlotte Agenda

The first batch of the Covid-19 vaccine — 84,800 doses to be exact — is expected in North Carolina before the end of the year.

There are many questions lingering, though. Survey responses from over 3,000 Charlotte Agenda subscribers showed that about 67 percent plan to take the vaccine while 11 percent would not and 20 percent weren’t sure. [Go deeper]

The basics: Currently there are five vaccines that have made it to the FDA’s Phase 3 clinical trials. Any or all of these vaccines could be approved under the FDA’s Emergency Use Authorization, which is meant to make vaccines and other medicines available during public heath emergencies. Though the vaccines have been developed quickly, the FDA still requires extensive testing before granting emergency approval.

Pfizer and Moderna are the first companies to apply for the FDA’s emergency-use authorization and are waiting for approval in the U.S. Pfizer has already been approved for widespread use in the United Kingdom.

Here’s everything else you need to know.

When will the vaccine to be widely available to everyone?

State governments will play a large role in determining who has access to the vaccine first. In most places, including North Carolina, healthcare workers and vulnerable populations will be prioritized. Most medical professionals estimate the vaccine will be widely available around spring or summer of next year.

Use this New York Times tool for an estimate on your spot in the Covid-19 vaccine line.

How do we know which vaccine to get? (Pfizer, Moderna, etc.)

Governor Cooper said North Carolina would likely get the Pfizer vaccine, which has to be stored at -70 degrees. Even if multiple vaccines do get FDA approval, it’s unlikely individuals will have the option to choose which type to get.

Will it be mandatory?

The Covid vaccine will not be required by the federal government, as made clear by President-elect Joe Biden last week.

However, state governments and employers may require the vaccine for specific groups, like students or healthcare workers. Vaccine requirements are common; North Carolina kindergartners, for example, are required to take nine vaccines.

What can you say to people who are afraid of taking the vaccine?

Early data show the vaccines in the final stages of testing are effective with minimal side effects. Pfizer, which is the vaccine North Carolina would likely get, reports being 95 percent effective against Covid with no serious safety concerns.

Here’s what Atrium’s Dr. Lewis McCurdy had to say: “Immunizations have really made the world a safer place. My hope is that people will step up and take the vaccine, because I do think it’s going to be a significant way to reduce the length this pandemic.”

Learn more about Operation Warp Speed and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ efforts to develop a safe vaccine.

Governor Cooper, NC vaccine distribution, Covid-19, coronavirus

Governor Cooper shares the Covid vaccine distribution plan during a December 1 briefing.

If you’ve had Covid (or have the antibodies), should you get the vaccine?

Probably, but the answer is still unclear. Some experts say those who’ve had Covid should be vaccinated. But the CDC says it needs more information on this area before making a recommendation. One of the biggest factors here is determining how long people who’ve had the virus are immune to it. Right now studies show that natural immunity to Covid-19 is strong, but may not last very long, which would mean those who’ve had the virus should still be vaccinated.

In Mecklenburg County, there are a couple dozen people who’ve been infected with Covid-19 twice.

How many shots will the vaccine require?

Four of the five Covid vaccines to reach the final stages of clinical trials, including the Pfizer vaccine, require two shots. The Johnson & Johnson vaccine requires one shot, but the company is also testing two-shot vaccines.

What are the side effects?

Studies of the Covid vaccines in Phase 3 clinical trials showed mild side effects from fatigue and muscle soreness to headache and redness at the injection site. Expect more information on potential side effects when the FDA releases Phase 3 trial information.

Has it been tested on children?

The vaccines currently in the final phases of testing are meant for adults. Separate trials are being done on children, but a safe vaccine for them likely won’t be released until mid-2021.

Would you recommend a healthy and young person get the vaccine? Why?

Medical professionals recommend that everyone take the vaccine when it’s available to them. While the majority of young, healthy people have less severe reactions to Covid, that’s not always the case. Additionally, young, healthy people are still able to spread the virus to those who are at risk for severe symptoms.

Is an effective vaccine going to put an end to statewide restrictions? What is the end goal?

Because the Pfizer vaccine requires two shots, and North Carolina will only get about 85,000 doses in its first shipment, restrictions will likely be in place for the foreseeable future regardless of an effective vaccine. This also means social distancing and masks will still be critical.

The end goal is to reach herd immunity, which means enough people in the community have the antibodies to fight a virus, and are therefore protected from it. To get herd immunity, people have to get vaccinated. Most medical professionals estimate that if an effective vaccine is released and people take it, herd immunity may be reached by mid- to late-2021.

This story was last updated at 12:36 p.m. on Sunday, December 6. We’ll continue to make updates as additional information becomes available.

For more on information check out all the latest on coronavirus in Charlotte here.

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