City of Minneapolis issued the following announcement on Dec. 28.
Emergency medical services providers from the Minneapolis Fire Department, Police Department and Metro Transit have started getting their first doses of the COVID-19 vaccine. All health care employees are in the first groups to receive the vaccine. This group includes those holding emergency medical service or paramedic certifications.
The vaccine is safe and effective. The COVID-19 vaccines have been developed faster than any other in history because of the commitment and funds made available. Every COVID-19 vaccine has undergone the same clinical trials and approvals that other vaccines have. Fortunately, researchers have been working on vaccines for the coronavirus family for years, so they didn’t have to start from scratch. As researchers worked intensely to develop and test the vaccine, they were transparent in sharing data, holding live hearings and pausing trials if it was important to slow down.
How the vaccine works
Different types of vaccines work in different ways to offer protection, but with all types of vaccines, the body is left with a supply of special cells that will remember how to fight off a specific virus in the future. The COVID-19 vaccines help our bodies develop immunity by “remembering” the virus that causes COVID-19 without us having to get the illness. The first shot starts building protection. A second shot a few weeks later is needed to get the most protection the vaccine has to offer.
Sometimes after vaccinations, the process of building immunity can cause symptoms, such as fever. These symptoms are normal and are a sign that the body is building immunity.
It takes about two weeks after the second dose to build up protection, so full protection occurs about six weeks after the first vaccine dose.
Who’s next for vaccinations?
Vaccines will be available to other high-risk groups, such as essential workers and older adults, as well as the general public in phases over the next few months. While COVID-19 vaccination is not required, these health care workers trust the science behind the vaccine and understand that getting vaccinated is one more way to help protect themselves, their families and our communities.
More information will be provided about when and how you can get vaccinated.
Even though it will take some time for everyone to get vaccinated, you can help stop the spread of the virus right now by continuing hand-washing, distancing, wearing a mask and avoiding high-risk situations.
Original source can be found here.
Source: City of Minneapolis
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