Teachers' opinions on the COVID-19 vaccine

Wilson Auberson - Senior | Features

Since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, people have been wondering when quarantine would end and when mask-wearing will cease to be mandatory. With the recently released COVID-19 vaccine, that future seems a lot closer. The vaccine was announced on Nov. 9, when the FDA authorized an Emergency Use Authorization of the Pfizer vaccine.

At the beginning of 2021, teachers were given their first vaccine doses before going back to school for the second semester. The first dose of the vaccine was given to teachers on Jan. 4-5. Teachers will be monitored for a month before taking their second doses in February.

However, many are concerned about issues with the vaccines, including side effects and the potentially harmful contents of the vaccines.

Mrs. Auberson, a teacher at Algood Middle School, received her first dose on Jan. 4 after around 2 hours of waiting.

“The nurses would approach your car and check your paperwork, making sure that their information lined up with yours.” said Auberson.

After Auberson received the vaccine, she had to wait another 15 minutes to make sure there were no immediate side-effects after the initial dose. Over the next few days, Auberson experienced some lengthier side-effects.

“I experienced pain in my arm ranging from my shoulder to my elbow. It wasn’t unbearable, but I also had small headaches over 2 days after taking the vaccine.” said Auberson.

These are some labeled side-effects of the vaccine -- Auberson took ibuprofen and tylenol to counteract the effects.

Another teacher opted not to take the vaccine at all; here is what she had to say.

“I didn’t take the COVID-19 vaccine for many reasons. I have already had COVID-19 and since I am a young, healthy adult, I believe I will wait to see how the vaccine works so that I can watch its side-effects.”

The vaccine is only readily authorized to combat the steadily rising COVID-19 rise since the beginning of 2021. The progress of COVID-19 over the next few months depends on social distancing and the effectiveness of the vaccine at fighting COVID-19.