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COVID Vaccine Update

By Lila Nolan, Staff Writer

Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, arguments about whether or not there will be a safe and proactive vaccine released to the public soon to help the amplified spread of the virus. After nearly a year of living in isolation, the Food and Drug Association (FDA) officially authorized the antibody vaccine Bamlanivimab, remaining optimistic that it will serve as a secure treatment for COVID-19. 

In hopes of reducing the spread of the virus, the FDA has emergency-released the vaccine, with strict government-mandated guidelines.

“Bamlanivimab is authorized for patients with positive results of direct SARS-CoV-2 viral testing who are 12 years of age and older weighing at least 40 kilograms (about 88 pounds), and who are at high risk for progressing to severe COVID-19 and/or hospitalization,” the FDA said. “This includes those who are 65 years of age or older, or who have certain chronic medical conditions.” 

Across the world, countries prepare to begin administering the vaccine to willing and healthy citizens that fit these guidelines. As the COVID-19 cases continue to rise amid all of the social distancing and safety restrictions, the United States Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) panel has revealed groundbreaking information. The CDC explained that even though it is unclear when the vaccine will officially be available in the U.S., by the end of December, there will be enough doses available to immunize over 20 million people. 

Sophomore criminal justice major Jillian Hugh is worried about the negative side effects of the vaccine.

“My biggest concern with this new vaccine is that it may disperse negative side effects or outcomes to some people. I’m scared that it will not completely eliminate the virus,” Hugh said. “I don’t think the vaccine is worth releasing until creators are entirely sure that they’ve researched anything and everything they can do to defeat the virus.”

Alongside many worrisome health side effects that this vaccine may entail, another major issue brought up is the ongoing debate across the country on pro and anti vaccine individuals. Recently, many social issues have divided the U.S. in detrimental ways. 

Junior music education Kaitlyn Sottung worries that many people won’t get the vaccine.

“One of my main concerns is having a great number of people refusing to take the vaccine,” Sottung said. “Not only will this increase the spread but it will cause divides in our country with people who are anti-vaccine and people who take the vaccine.”

After many citizens have expressed their concerns with this new vaccine, others have shared the optimism it has brought them. The creation of this defense mechanism vaccine on the virus has installed a beacon of hope in ways people haven’t had in months. 

Double criminal justice and psychology major Kamryn Clarke felt positive after hearing about the vaccine release. 

“The release of the vaccine makes me nervous but optimistic, mainly meaning that even the slightest possibility that we have a chance to get things back to normal is amazing,” she said. “I’m very curious to see the success rate and see where it puts us, maybe even deciding whether we’re able to move forward through this pandemic or not.”

 “I’m hopeful that this new vaccine will help us get back to normal or a possible new normal because I don’t think we could ever truly get back to how society worked before,” sophomore psychology major Kelley Crowley said. “It does make me nervous that the vaccine came out so fast considering it usually takes a couple years for a vaccine to come out but overall I’m hopeful that it will work out. I’m honestly excited for this vaccine to come out because it will hopefully end this pandemic and the world can hopefully start to move past it.”

In hopes that the coronavirus vaccine will be safe, students are left questioning how this makes them feel. If this vaccine works out for the best, it can be a life changing savor to the way we have all been forced to live the past several months.

“It is time to take more action. I think the vaccine gives us a chance to get truly serious about the virus and it would be a good thing for everyone to receive the vaccine to do what’s best for the country,” Sottung said. “I am hopeful that this vaccine will be a step in the right direction to return back to normal life. This vaccine could drastically decrease the spread of covid and would keep more people safe.”  During this worldwide pandemic, everyone has been forced to adapt to a ‘new normal’. In light of the new Bamlanivimab COVID-19 vaccine, students hope that it serves as a constructive and safe beacon of hope for humanity.

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