In a turbulent time with cases rising daily, the world is in need of a solution to COVID-19, and thanks to Pfizer and Moderna, two research/pharmaceutical it might have one. Both Pfizer and Moderna have reported successes for their vaccine trials, and are looking at producing them for the general public in the next few months. 

How did we get the vaccine so quickly?

Though most vaccines take years to develop and test, governments around the globe have contributed significant amounts of money to the development of a vaccine. Operation Warp Speed (US) and Vaccine Taskforce (UK) are two main organizations that have been working hard to develop a vaccine. Dolly Parton is also a contributor; she donated $1 million dollars to funding for the vaccine development. 

How effective?

According to Moderna, the vaccine is 95% effective. However, this is just a preliminary estimation based on the 15,000 testing participants in the Moderna trial. Solid evidence that this vaccine would work for the majority of the population won’t be known until further testing is done. 

Side effects?

Though Moderna claims that there are no significant side effects, some of the test participants experienced body aches and headaches. However, these symptoms are normal after receiving a vaccine or even a flu shot; they just mean that the body is doing what it needs to do–it’s building up immunity. 

How does it work?

Unlike most vaccines, the vaccine developed by Pfizer and Moderna is designed to use genetics and RNA to fight the virus. Regular vaccines use the virus itself to build up the immune system, but this tentative vaccine is meant to alter a person’s genetic makeup in order to better defend against the virus. 

Who should get it first? 

This moral debate has been going on since the news of the latest developments of the vaccine have been released. Who should get the vaccine first? After all, there simply won’t be enough for everyone, so others will have to be put before the rest. As of now, those in the high-risk category will be the first to receive the vaccine in December while everyone else is set to get it during the spring.

There are still many questions that need to be answered, but for now, the world has hope.