Staff put together to ship the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine from the corporate's manufacturing plant in Kalamazoo, Michigan. Morry Gash/Pool/AFP through Getty Photos

Editor’s Word: With the Meals and Drug Administration issuing emergency use authorization for a vaccine to restrict the unfold of coronavirus, you may need questions on what this implies for you. If you happen to do, ship them to The Dialog, and we are going to discover a doctor or researcher to reply them. Right here, Dr. Jason McKnight, a major care doctor at Texas A&M College, solutions 5 questions concerning the rollout and distribution underway.

I hear that I would nonetheless need to put on a masks even after I get vaccinated. Why?

It would probably be the continued suggestion that everybody put on a masks when in public even after receiving the vaccination for COVID-19. Whereas these vaccines look like extremely efficient in stopping an infection from the illness, even at 95% efficacy, which means roughly 5% of individuals receiving the vaccination should still grow to be contaminated. Sporting a masks helps lower the transmission of the virus in these conditions during which the vaccine doesn’t forestall the sickness.

Additional, persevering with to put on a masks might assist forestall the unfold of different respiratory diseases, which might help forestall overwhelming the well being care system, as we’re already seeing through the pandemic. Lastly, it’s doable that some people receiving the vaccine might have an asymptomatic an infection, and sporting a masks additionally helps forestall the unfold of sickness in that scenario.

If I get the Pfizer vaccine for the primary dose, how can I be certain I get the Pfizer vaccine the second time?

The distribution of the Pfizer vaccine is supposed to match the necessity for the second dose. The clinic, hospital or pharmacy the place you’re vaccinated will hold a file of the vaccine that you just acquired, as will you, to assist be sure that your second dose matches the primary dose.

The primary shipments of the COVID-19 vaccine are loaded right into a UPS aircraft in Lansing, Michigan, on Dec. 13.

Rey Del Rio through Getty Photos

How will public well being consultants observe the protection of the vaccine because it rolls out to greater teams of individuals?

Public well being consultants in addition to the vaccine producers will proceed to trace the protection of the vaccine in a number of methods. First, the people who find themselves vaccinated within the scientific trials will proceed to be adopted to make sure there aren’t any long-term issues of safety. Additional, there may be what known as a part IV post-marketing surveillance trial, which can enable many people who find themselves vaccinated to be adopted long run to make sure no security issues come up and to make sure that the vaccine stays as efficient as initially thought.

How will I do know when it’s my flip to get a vaccine?

To know when it’s your flip to be vaccinated, contact both your state division of well being or your well being care supplier. They are going to be receiving updates and additional details about who’s to be vaccinated and when. In case you have questions concerning the vaccine and timing of administration, contact your well being care supplier.

The place will I get a vaccine?

Whereas the precise distribution of vaccines shouldn’t be but solidified, and relies on the state during which you reside, most vaccines will probably be despatched to hospital techniques, well being care suppliers’ workplaces, and a few pharmacies. To seek out out the closest location the place you might be vaccinated, contact your native well being division or your well being care supplier.

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Jason R. McKnight doesn’t work for, seek the advice of, personal shares in or obtain funding from any firm or group that will profit from this text, and has disclosed no related affiliations past their educational appointment.