As many people know, a vaccine for COVID-19 was recently released. Many people have also had questions about things like needing to still wear a mask after the vaccination or if they could still get sick directly after getting vaccinated. The answer to both of those questions is yes. 

The CDC has said that even though you get vaccinated, the body still takes time to build up immunity to the vaccine. This means that it’s possible a person could be infected with the virus that causes COVID-19 just before or just after the vaccination and still get sick. It is said that healthcare workers and residents and staff of long-term care facilities will get the first COVID-19 vaccines after the vaccines are granted Emergency Use Authorization.

Dilynn Everitt, a senior at St. Louis High School, stated, “I think that the vaccine is either something really helpful, something really hurtful, or something useless. I’m not really sure which one because I have no idea what is in it, but I hope it is the first one. And I would probably get the vaccine.” She also added when asked about what she would say to others, “I would tell them that the world has been struggling for too long now, and if this can help it, then we should use it. I think that if it really was going to hurt us, they would’ve released it a long time ago.”

Alexandra Pawlitz, a senior at SLHS stated, “The reason I think people should get the vaccine is to primarily prevent the spread of COVID-19 and keep your family safe from this virus that is killing hundreds of people every day.” Pawlitz’s parents are getting the vaccine soon as well. She said that her parents don’t have any concerns about getting the vaccine. Pawlitz’s also mentioned, “The vaccine is free to everyone in the United States, so I would try to take advantage of it and prevent the spread so we can all get back to our normal daily lives!”