The United States has been home to many of the world's deadliest diseases for centuries, including some devastating childhood diseases like smallpox and polio. Now, with vaccines available to protect against Covid-19, there are hopes that we may finally turn a corner on global public health threats like tuberculosis. The ongoing coronavirus pandemic poses a stark reminder that even despite widespread vaccination efforts, we, as individuals, can still catch diseases at any time. This is particularly true when it comes to chronic diseases that could be prevented or treated if given due consideration — and while vaccinations are one of the best means of doing so. With all this in mind, why not consider developing your own vaccine?
While there are several different ways to do this, which include using existing vaccines like those developed by Pfizer/BioNTech and Moderna, such as the ChAdOx1 nCoV-19 vaccine and a new version of AstraZeneca's vaccine, two major companies are developing their own vaccines, including Oxford/AstraZeneca's AZD1222, and Johnson & Johnson's JNJ-78436737. Here is everything you need to know about both of these drugs.
When is my jab?
There aren't formal plans, but public health authorities say they'll start giving out vaccines soon. They've applied to the US government for authorization to begin inoculating Americans right away. At least 1.3 million doses have already been given across the US, with roughly half administered in recent days, according to the CDC. There are roughly 200 sites where the shots will arrive next week. An expert panel advising the FDA will decide whether to approve the vaccine for emergency use within 30 days. According to the state Department of Homeland Security's Operation Warp Speed program, vaccines will likely be distributed at three sites, with the largest clinic slated to open near the White House with 60,000 doses. But the Biden administration isn't necessarily promising us a smooth transition out of control until the administration is officially sworn in, meaning that we won't see this mass vaccination campaign complete until President Joe Biden takes office in just over a month. However, with news of its imminent arrival, many questions about the vaccination process have been answered — namely how long will it be? We do know that the National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases will handle this rollout, and there are reports that it will operate closely with local public-health agencies. Given these details, many of which involve storing, handling and making sure every single vial of the vaccine is stored safely, it may be wise to wait until then to receive the COVID-19 inoculation and await the final results of the trial, which will provide insight into how effective it really is against the novel coronavirus.
Is there a chance I can get another jab?
There are very few things that more annoy you than hearing that you can get a second dose of a particular vaccine, then learning that it’s no longer available once the original batch expires. When the UK became struck down with South Africa's mutant strain of COVID earlier this year, the country immediately asked Britain's medical regulator to extend Pfizer's supply until January 2021. A spokesperson for the company confirmed to Vogue that the manufacturer would indeed offer a future opportunity in the event of a resurgence.
Can you find someone for me?
It seems odd to ask, but you can arrange to pay a loved one to accompany you on a vaccination trip. Of course, this applies to everyone over 16, but also include children, teenagers, and adults. Many hospitals in the UK have reached agreements with mobile vaccination service providers to vaccinate patients in their homes. According to Vox.com, these services include ZOOM and GoG which are offering Covid-19 tests, care monitoring, and daily symptom reminders for anyone aged 12 and older. Another option is LifeVax, which will take care of scheduling appointments, delivering medication from pharmacies, and helping patients manage symptoms at home. After all of this, patients must prove they're in a stable mental condition and can understand English. Some countries, like Spain, will allow patients to visit centers set up specifically for administering the vaccine. People will probably need someone to accompany them, however. Fortunately, that will be rather easy to arrange in many parts of Europe. These include the German city of Magdeburg and the Swiss town of Zurich. If you're willing to pay someone to come along, there are still places and towns in the UK where you can meet up with a friend who fits the bill. Also worth mentioning? Will anyone else be joining me? is a fantastic method to demonstrate your interest in the topic and present yourself as clever.
What kind of vaccine do I need?
There are multiple types of vaccination — known as heterogeneous platforms, as opposed to the standard ones used in the past. Because they aren't interchangeable, some researchers suggest that they can be combined with other vaccines. That way, they can target certain groups at risk of the deadly infection, for example, older individuals or younger children. These include the elderly for whom the vaccine doesn't exist. Or maybe even kids who've had the milder version of Covid. All of them could be vaccinated as a group, and at a relatively low price, in which case they wouldn't be viewed as experimental procedures (except for the latter point, which is now under discussion). One thing is for sure: getting a vaccination is worthwhile, no matter the type, as long as it gives you the protection you deserve. It's worth thinking about doing a "vaxx" solo instead if you can't find the right kind of support.