Across the U.S., approximately 15% of the population has received one dose of the COVID-19 vaccine, and 7.5% of the population has been administered both doses. Most of these people are hospital workers, doctors, and teachers, and a small portion of the elderly community. Even though the rate of vaccinations has increased since December, vaccinating the entire nation has proved a challenge.

Most teachers, including many teachers at Midlothian High School, have already received both doses of the vaccine. Art teacher Ms. Mackenzie Gillespie was given her Pfizer shot in early February. She felt “…both excited and nervous for it. Excited because I would feel a little safer interacting with my students and coworkers knowing I had started the vaccine process. Nervous because I had heard from some of my close friends and other teachers about the possible side effects.” However, she also said, “I have not had any side effects from the first shot. My arm was sore the remainder of the day when I got it, but that’s not unusual for any type of shot.” 

Joining the well-known Pfizer and Moderna vaccines, the Johnson and Johnson vaccine is now available for administration. Unlike the other vaccines, it only requires one shot, making its distribution easier and safer. It is approved for people of 18 years of age, which means some high school seniors could soon receive their vaccine. 

Johnson and Johnson has been proved 85% effective in keeping people safe from severe symptoms of COVID-19, including hospital admittance and death. It is shown that the vaccine takes effect about 28 days to a month after people have been administered the vaccine. 

Although the vaccine protects against symptoms, someone who has gotten the vaccine can still contract COVID-19, as well as spread it to others. Because of this, even after people are vaccinated, COVID-19 precautions should be maintained.

For more information, visit these sites:

How Is The COVID-19 Vaccination Campaign Going In Your State? 

Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 Vaccine Authorized by U.S. FDA For Emergency Use – First Single-Shot Vaccine in Fight Against Global Pandemic