Covid-19 has changed nearly every aspect of individuals’ lives. The world is looking for hope, and now there may be a light at the end of the tunnel.

Vaccines.

These vaccines would lead to immunity in communities and a fighting chance against the Covid-19 virus, which has killed 500,000 Americans. 

There is a path to immunity that begins with the initial injection. 

“If an immune person comes into contact with that disease in the future, their immune system will recognize it and immediately produce the antibodies needed to fight it,” Elliot Koester, a Reno County epidemiologist and public health professional.

There are fears and conspiracies surrounding the legitimacy and the efficiency of the Covid-19 vaccines, including the fear of the mRNA vaccine, which some believe will change their DNA.

The Covid-19 vaccine is classified as an mRNA vaccine, which differs from the traditional vaccine. This means that the Covid-19 virus is not injected into the host, but rather a blank protein is injected that has been programmed specifically to the Covid-19 virus. 

“mRNA vaccines contain material from the virus that causes Covid-19 that gives our cells instructions for how to make a harmless protein that is unique to the virus,” Koester said. “After our cells make copies of the protein, they destroy the genetic material from the vaccine.

“Our bodies recognize that the protein should not be there and build T-lymphocytes (proteins that directly kill infected cells)and B-lymphocytes (provides the defense systems against the virus) that will remember how to fight the virus that causes Covid-19 if we are infected in the future.”

The Covid-19 vaccine has no effect on a person’s DNA system.

Some are hesitant about how quickly the vaccine was developed. 

“Moderna and Pfizer were already in the middle of coronavirus research before the pandemic even began,” said Loyd, a manufacturing specialist for a biologics company that specializes in the manufacturing and research of the Covid-19 vaccine. “While they weren’t looking directly at SARS-CoV-2, they were able to readily shift their direction to accommodate the health crisis.” 

Funding accommodated the quick research, as well. 

“It usually takes companies several years to pass FDA trials, but a lot of the roadblocks come from funding,” Loyd said. “Thanks to ‘Operation Warp Speed’ and many other policies implemented, financial roadblocks were never an issue and allowed for the vaccine to be placed on the fast track.”

Side effects are another concern.

Headache, pain at the injection site, fatigue and possible fever are all common side effects of the vaccine, according to the FDA Vaccine information documents. Additionally, the side effects 5-9 days.

“Long-term benefits and side effects will be monitored over the next few months and years,” Koester said. “This will be a continuous process.”

Furthermore, the vaccines affect each individual in a similar yet different way.

“The only side effect I experienced was some muscle soreness at the injection site for about two days,” Derby High School’s nurse, Christy Higginbotham said. “Otherwise, I had no side effects at all.”

Wichita healthcare professional Valerie Goodwin had a similar experience.

“I had a sore arm for the first 48 hours, quite a bit more sore than when I had the flu shot,” she said. “I also had a slight dizzy spell about 24 hours after. But otherwise, I feel great.”

Rachel Harper, also a healthcare professional in Wichita, had some soreness, too.

“A little swelling and redness, about the size of a tennis ball,” Harper said. “It was gone on Day Four. I am one week out today and oddly my redness has come back.” 

All seven who responded to a survey of healthcare professionals said their side effects had dissipated after two weeks.

Another concern centers on the longevity and the efficiency of the vaccine. 

“Those in the trial will be observed for possibly the rest of their lives as we study how long the immunity holds in the vaccine,” Koester said. “As of now, the immunity time is three months, but as the trial progresses, the immunity continuation will get longer.”

As a result, herd immunity would be established. 

“Herd immunity occurs when a large portion of a community — the herd — becomes immune

to a disease, making the spread of disease from person to person unlikely,” Koester said. “As a result, the

whole community becomes protected — not just those who are immune.”

As of now, Sedgwick County is in Phase Two of the vaccine roll-out, meaning that the elderly and healthcare professionals now have the choice to receive the vaccine. Recently, school districts have additionally begun the roll-out of the vaccine. 

“My experience was a positive one,” Higginbotham said. “I would encourage students, staff, and families to get vaccinated as soon as it is available to them. If we can stop the spread of COVID, we can get back to our ‘normal’ school, personal, and work lives.”