The main benefits of the Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna (Spikevax) vaccines include resuming a safer, more “normal life," and protecting yourself and others from getting the COVID-19 disease.
Resuming a safer, more “normal life"
Once you get vaccinated, you will be able to access campus and its facilities, you will have fewer restrictions when traveling abroad, you may not need to self-isolate after travel if you tested negative, you will be able to attend outdoor events and some indoor events, such as gyms, pools, cinemas, restaurants, etc.
While fully vaccinated individuals are less likely to contract COVID-19, some evidence shows that the new Delta variant is highly transmissible even among fully vaccinated individuals. According to the
most recent Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guidelines, we must maintain public health measures that work, such as masking, physical distancing, handwashing, respiratory and cough hygiene, avoiding crowds, and ensuring good ventilation.
The CDC recommends that fully vaccinated people:
- Wear a mask in public indoor settings, particularly if they or someone in their household is immunocompromised or at increased risk for severe disease, or if someone in their household is unvaccinated. People who are at increased risk for severe disease include older adults and those who have certain medical conditions, such as diabetes, overweight or obesity, and heart conditions.
- Get tested if experiencing COVID-19 symptoms.
- Get tested 3-5 days following known exposure to someone with suspected or confirmed COVID-19 and wear a mask in public indoor settings for 14 days after exposure or until a negative test result.
- Isolate if they have tested positive for COVID-19 in the prior 10 days or are experiencing COVID-19 symptoms.
Protecting yourself and others
According to the World Health Organization (WHO) and to the CDC, the Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna (Spikevax) vaccines have been found to be safe and effective in preventing SARS-CoV-2 infection, which is the virus causing the COVID-19 disease.
As of August 23, 2021, the Pfizer BioNTech and Moderna (Spikevax) vaccines, also called Comirnaty have been approved by the Foord and Drugs Administration (FDA). The vaccine has been approved for the prevention of COVID-19 disease in individuals 16 years of age and older. The WHO and the CDC recommendthe vaccine among people aged 12 or above.
The Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna (Spikevax) vaccines are particularly effective among people with various conditions that are associated with an increased risk of severe disease. This includes hypertension, diabetes, asthma, pulmonary, liver, or kidney disease, as well as chronic infections that are stable and controlled.
Efficacy and effectiveness
Based on evidence from clinical trials in people 16 years and older, the Pfizer BioNTech and Moderna (Spikevax) vaccines have an efficacy of 95% against symptomatic SARS-CoV-2 infection, which is the virus causing the COVID-19 disease. The vaccine appeared to be equally protective across age groups and racial and ethnic groups. Recent evidence shows that vaccines offer similar protection in real-world conditions as they have in clinical trial settings - reducing the risk of COVID-19, including severe illness by 90% or more, among people who are fully vaccinated.
The WHO's Strategic Advisory Group of Experts on Immunization (SAGE) has reviewed all available data on the performance of the vaccine in tests to assess efficacy against a variety of variants. These tests indicated that the vaccine was effective against virus variants.
If you are an AUB community member, consider taking your vaccine today by booking an appointment at the AUBMC Immunization Center. Click n the buttons on the right to book your first dose or second dose.
Page last updated on August 30, 2021 at 23:23, GMT+3.