My Vaccine Story
GET THE FACTS
UNDERSTANDING Vaccines
NEWS AND UPDATES
Vaccination, Transmission, and Masks
Key Points:
We do not yet know whether individuals who are fully vaccinated can transmit SARS-CoV-2 to other individuals, although the risk is almost certainly lower than for unvaccinated persons
To limit transmission as much as possible, mask wearing remains critical, even for those who are fully vaccinated until community transmission decreases to low levels and a high proportion of people are vaccinated
Studies to better understand the potential for transmission by those who are fully vaccinated are underway, but they will take time to complete
J&J Vaccine: Finally, one dose with no controversy
Key Points:
The J&J vaccine, which uses an adenovirus vector, has high efficacy against severe COVID-19 disease.
It is the only vaccine for which we have good clinical trial data about its effects on mild and severe disease from the South African variant.
The J&J vaccine is well-tolerated, with few side effects, and is easy to transport and distribute because it does not have extensive cold-chain requirements.
The Virus’s Gambit; The Vaccine Response
Some countries, including South Africa, have set up extensive genomic surveillance systems to understand how the SARS-CoV-2 virus is mutating.
Additional mutations will continue to be identified and we must be prepared to manage them within the broader effort to mitigate the pandemic.
As we learn more about the vaccines’ efficacy against new variants, we must remember that the overall goal is to identify vaccines that reduce severe disease, as opposed to lessening more minor symptoms.
Science in the face of fear: a commentary on vaccine hesitancy
Key Points:
The efficacy of the Pfizer and Moderna Covid-19 vaccines is a scientific triumph with vast potential to save lives.
The political context within which the Covid-19 vaccines were developed has led to mistrust and hesitancy among some Americans, and it will take time to heal these wounds.
Regardless of politics, the scientific goal has always been the development of vaccines that can alter or stop Covid-19, and that goal has now been achieved.
Two Doses or One? COVID-19 Vaccine Regimens
Key Points:
The effectiveness of the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines is based on the results of clinical trials that gave two doses of vaccine 3 or 4 weeks apart.
The clinical trials did not give us information about different approaches to administering these vaccines (e.g., giving only one dose or spacing out the two doses beyond 3 or 4 weeks).
Until we have more research about their efficacy, we should plan to give these vaccines as two doses at the scheduled times 3 or 4 weeks apart.
Vaccination, Transmission, and Masks
Key Points:
We do not yet know whether individuals who are fully vaccinated can transmit SARS-CoV-2 to other individuals, although the risk is almost certainly lower than for unvaccinated persons
To limit transmission as much as possible, mask wearing remains critical, even for those who are fully vaccinated until community transmission decreases to low levels and a high proportion of people are vaccinated
Studies to better understand the potential for transmission by those who are fully vaccinated are underway, but they will take time to complete
J&J Vaccine: Finally, one dose with no controversy
Key Points:
The J&J vaccine, which uses an adenovirus vector, has high efficacy against severe COVID-19 disease.
It is the only vaccine for which we have good clinical trial data about its effects on mild and severe disease from the South African variant.
The J&J vaccine is well-tolerated, with few side effects, and is easy to transport and distribute because it does not have extensive cold-chain requirements.
The Virus’s Gambit; The Vaccine Response
Some countries, including South Africa, have set up extensive genomic surveillance systems to understand how the SARS-CoV-2 virus is mutating.
Additional mutations will continue to be identified and we must be prepared to manage them within the broader effort to mitigate the pandemic.
As we learn more about the vaccines’ efficacy against new variants, we must remember that the overall goal is to identify vaccines that reduce severe disease, as opposed to lessening more minor symptoms.
Science in the face of fear: a commentary on vaccine hesitancy
Key Points:
The efficacy of the Pfizer and Moderna Covid-19 vaccines is a scientific triumph with vast potential to save lives.
The political context within which the Covid-19 vaccines were developed has led to mistrust and hesitancy among some Americans, and it will take time to heal these wounds.
Regardless of politics, the scientific goal has always been the development of vaccines that can alter or stop Covid-19, and that goal has now been achieved.
Two Doses or One? COVID-19 Vaccine Regimens
Key Points:
The effectiveness of the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines is based on the results of clinical trials that gave two doses of vaccine 3 or 4 weeks apart.
The clinical trials did not give us information about different approaches to administering these vaccines (e.g., giving only one dose or spacing out the two doses beyond 3 or 4 weeks).
Until we have more research about their efficacy, we should plan to give these vaccines as two doses at the scheduled times 3 or 4 weeks apart.
Resources
At the Washington State Department of Health website you can get all the official information of COVID-19.
Visit the COVID Vaccine page
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention are on a mission to help save lives specially during COVID-19 pandemic.
If you live in Washington state, the Vaccine Locator can help you find COVID-19 vaccine appointments.
At the World Health Organization website you can find the latest global information about COVID-19
The National Institute of Health is the nation’s medical research agency, supporting scientific studies that turn discovery into health.
The National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases conducts and supports clinical trials evaluating therapies and vaccine candidates against COVID-19.
Where do I get a COVID-19 vaccine?
Use the Vaccine Locator to find a location near you and schedule an appointment
About Us
At Fred Hutch (Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center), our researchers are pushing the limits of human knowledge, from foundational biology to population-level health. Through fearless science, collaboration across disciplines, and unshakable focus, we’re leading the way to a world free of cancer and related diseases.
The Washington State Department of Health works with others to protect and improve the health of all people in Washington state.
Our programs and services help prevent illness and injury, promote healthy places to live and work, provide information to help people make good health decisions and ensure our state is prepared for emergencies. The partnership with Fred Hutch during the COVID-19 vaccine response centers around leveraging resources and sharing information, with no financial obligations by either party.