The Federal Drug Administration (FDA) issued an Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine for use in individuals aged sixteen or older on Friday, December 11, 2020.

The first doses reached Texas Monday, December 14, 2020 bringing a portion of the earmarked 1.4 million doses to healthcare workers who volunteered to be the first to receive them.

Although some smaller hospitals, Fairfield Medical Center included, will not be receiving doses due to the vaccine only coming in increments of 975, and a facility needs to be able to vaccinate that many health-care workers to receive the vaccine.

Vaccine Information

This vaccine contains messenger RNA (mRNA), a genetic material, which is taken from the virus only.

A small piece of the COVID-19 virus’s mRNA is used to make the spike protein, which does not cause disease, but will trigger the immune system.

Then the body can learn to react defensively which provides an immune response against COVID-19.

The vaccine requires two doses, three weeks apart.

During the studies, the most commonly reported side effects, typically lasting days were:

–Pain at injection site
–Tiredness
–Headache
–Muscle Pain
–Chills
–Joint Pain
–Fever

These side effects were more frequently reported after the second dose.

Medical personal and those in long-term living facilities, in the hardest hit areas, will be available to receive the vaccination first during phase 1.

Phase 2 will see the vaccine4 becoming more available for frontline workers and the vulnerable, included in this phase will be an increase on places to receive the vaccination.

Last, Phase 3 is when the supply should be stable and steady, and by Phase 4 there should be a decreased need for the vaccine.

Be Aware – Scammer Risk with Vaccine

Another important thing to know and watch out for is the risk of scammers trying to take advantage of people during this confusing time.

Important things to know include:

–Unlikely to need to pay out of pocket
–Cannot pay to have name on a list for vaccine
–No one from Medicare OR the Health Department will contact you
–Cannot pay to have early access for vaccine
–No one will from vaccine distribution or health care payer (ie: insurance) will call and ask for your Social Security Number, a Credit Card, or Bank Account information to sign you up for the vaccine
–Contact your healthcare provider before paying for or receiving any COVID-19 treatments
–If someone says they can get you early access to the vaccine by phone, email, or even knocking on your door – STOP – It is a scam
When in doubt, always check with your health care provider, especially before paying any money or giving out personal information.

This is an evolving circumstance as more vaccinations and treatments are approved, discovered, or used. Be sure and speak to your healthcare provider with any questions or concerns.