ALL NEWS

Are the Covid-19 vaccines safe?

Dec 1, 2020, 7:58 AM | Updated: Aug 2, 2022, 12:36 pm

Thanksgiving surge...

Local doctors say COVID-19 vaccines may utilize some new technologies, but overall, they're looking to achieve the same end goal of any other immunization. (IMAGE: KSL Newsradio)

(IMAGE: KSL Newsradio)

EDITORIAL NOTE: ‘Are the Covid-19 vaccines safe?’ is the second part of our four-part series, ‘The Vaccines: Hope on the Horizon.’ Each day, KSL will break down a different aspect of COVID-19 vaccine development and distribution. Listen to Utah’s Morning News at 7:45 a.m. and to Jeff Caplan’s Afternoon News at 4:45 p.m. every day this week for the latest. 

 

SALT LAKE CITY — We’re getting closer to having an approved Covid-19 vaccine but can we trust that it’s safe to take? While full safety data isn’t released until a vaccine has been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, one of Utah’s top doctors said there are many safeguards in place and that she is “cautiously optimistic.” 

Are the Covid-19 vaccines safe?

Who approves a vaccine? 

It’s the FDA that will determine if a vaccine is safe. More specifically, it comes from their third party group of experts known as the Vaccines and Related Biological Products Advisory Committee, or VRBPAC,  who are studying the data and will make a recommendation to the FDA.

“The FDA approves the vaccine, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) creates the clinical recommendations for the vaccine,” Dr. Tamera Sheffield, Intermountain Healthcare’s Medical Director of Community Health and Prevention told KSL.

“So [they tell] us, the providers, how to best provide it for best safety and best efficacy,” she said. 

Dr. Sheffield is also a former liaison to the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices, or ACIP, which is the name of that independent group of medical professionals creating those clinical recommendations for the CDC.

Two vaccines are currently waiting for emergency approval from the FDA, one from Pfizer and one from Moderna. 

“Everything we’ve seen on preliminary data looks very promising.” Dr. Sheffied said. “So we are cautiously optimistic that these are good vaccines that are having the desired effect and their safety profile appears to be good in preliminary information that we got.”

The FDA’s committee is slated to meet about the Pfizer vaccine on December 10th in a public meeting, and again on December 17th to discuss Moderna’s data. A thumbs up on approvals could come shortly after those meetings. 

Have the vaccines been rushed?

Dr. Sheffield said the vaccines haven’t been rushed in terms of safety steps.

“The trial production and production of the vaccines, many of those things were put into parallel so they are going faster, but in terms of meeting all the steps and going through the appropriate process, the same steps that we take for other vaccines are being taken on the Covid vaccine,” she said.

 

Researchers also weren’t starting from scratch. They had already been at work creating vaccines for other coronaviruses like SARS-CoV 1 and MERS-CoV. When the Covid-19 outbreak hit, resources and researchers shifted their focus. Dr. Sheffield said financial resources given to the vaccine manufacturers helped expedite things.

“To be able to both create large based studies quickly, and to be able to make the vaccine, those financial resources from our federal government are the thing that made and facilitated, this quick production,” Sheffield said.

Are the side effects worse than the virus?

Dr. Sheffield said it remains to be seen exactly how our bodies will react to the new way both the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines work, which is called mRNA. Simply put, a piece of genetic code is injected into your arm, which goes into your cells in the immune system and gives them instructions to create a  “spike protein” which is found on the surface of the virus.

“And this genetic code tells those cells – make this protein, which is the spike protein from the virus. And that becomes the antigen that your body learns how to protect itself against.” Dr. Sheffield said.

However, there will likely be some side effects.

“We are seeing the same kind of responses we do with every vaccine where when our immune systems turn on, we may get a bit of a fever, we may feel some aches and chills, we may get a headache. This is our body doing exactly what it’s supposed to be doing,” she said.

And while that may be really uncomfortable for a few days Dr. Sheffield said it should be weighed against what you’re trying to protect yourself from.

Are the vaccines going to stop Covid-19 from spreading?

Dr. Sheffield is concerned that some people might get a false sense of security by taking the vaccine. Meaning, they’ll take it, think they’re protected, and still spread the virus. 

“What we need to be aware of is that vaccine is probably our strongest tool in preventing spread of infection by creating immunity so individuals can’t pass disease from one person to another, but it’s not the only tool in the toolbox.” Dr. Sheffield said.

She urged that masking, distancing, and hand washing will need to continue in concert with the vaccine.

How long will immunity last?

Her other concern, she said, is that we don’t have data yet on how long vaccine immunity will last. 

“So we are going to have to be watching disease rates in vaccinated and unvaccinated individuals over time, and there will post-licensure survey’s to allow us to do that, and that will tell us if we do need to have some type of a booster vaccine,” she said.

She said a Covid-19 booster is a “very possible likelihood.”

The vaccines are untested in two big populations

The vaccines haven’t been widely tested in children or pregnant women. Pfizer has started trials in kids as young as 12. Dr. Sheffield said they will progressively move down through the adolescent years.  The FDA committee plans to discuss approving the vaccine for individuals age 16 and up. But there’s no timeline yet for studies on pregnant women.


This is the second part of our four-part series ‘‘The Vaccines: Hope on the Horizon.’ You can read part one‘Utahns describe COVID-19 vaccines symptoms, feel confident it’s safe’ by clicking here.


How To Prevent the Spread of COVID-19 Coronavirus

COVID-19 coronaviruses transmitted from person to person. It is a virus that is similar to the common cold and the flu. So, to prevent it from spreading:

  • Wash hands frequently and thoroughly, with soap and water, for at least 20 seconds.
  • Wear a mask.
  • Don’t touch your face.
  • Keep children and those with compromised immune systems away from someone who is coughing or sneezing (in this instance, at least six feet)
  • If there is an outbreak near you, practice social distancing (stay at home, instead of going to the movies, sports events, or other activities.)
  • Get a flu shot.

Local resources

KSL Coronavirus Q&A

Utah’s Coronavirus Information

Utah State Board of Education

Utah Hospital Association

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

Utah Coronavirus Information Line – 1-800-456-7707

National Resources

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

Commonly asked questions, World Health Organization

Cases in the United States

  

We want to hear from you.

Have a story idea or tip? Send it to the KSL NewsRadio team here.

All News

(Eric Cabrera, KSL NewsRadio)...

Simone Seikaly

Possible carjacking in West Valley City leads to car fire, ramp closure

The UHP said a car was following another car eastbound on the 201 and moved onto the ramp toward NB I-15 when one car rolled and caught fire.

25 minutes ago

(Loren Richardson via KSL.com)...

Simone Seikaly

Brighton resident charged for confronting snowboarder with shotgun

According to court documents, and based on witness accounts, Keith Robert Stebbings threatened a snowboarder with a shotgun.

1 hour ago

Four cats relaxing on chairs and a cat tree at Fawn's Family Rescue...

Heather Peterson

Fawn’s Family Rescue provides lounge to relax with adoptable cats

Fawn's Family Rescue recently opened its doors in Bountiful. The new cat lounge provides a comfortable way for people to hang out with feline friends.

4 hours ago

A n3-year degree may be an option...

Amie Schaeffer

Utah students could soon earn bachelor’s degrees in 3 years

College students may be able to graduate with a bachelors degree in three years in some industries.

6 hours ago

Rain and snow expected Easter...

Adam Small

More rain and snow on the way for Easter

More rain and snow is headed to Utah on Thursday, and the wet weather is expected to hang around through Easter.

7 hours ago

Rep Phil Lyman shown, lyman dei comments came under scrutiny...

Emma Keddington

Rep. Phil Lyman defends post correlating DEI policies with Baltimore bridge collapse

Rep. Phil Lyman is defending a post made Tuesday, that said Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) policies had something to do with the Baltimore bridge collapse. 

7 hours ago

Sponsored Articles

Mother and cute toddler child in a little fancy wooden cottage, reading a book, drinking tea and en...

Visit Bear Lake

How to find the best winter lodging in Bear Lake, Utah

Winter lodging in Bear Lake can be more limited than in the summer, but with some careful planning you can easily book your next winter trip.

Happy family in winter clothing at the ski resort, winter time, watching at mountains in front of t...

Visit Bear Lake

Ski more for less: Affordable ski resorts near Bear Lake, Utah

Plan your perfect ski getaway in Bear Lake this winter, with pristine slopes, affordable tickets, and breathtaking scenery.

front of the Butch Cassidy museum with a man in a cowboy hat standing in the doorway...

Bear Lake Convention and Visitors Bureau

Looking Back: The History of Bear Lake

The history of Bear Lake is full of fascinating stories. At over 250,000 years old, the lake has seen generations of people visit its shores.

silhouette of a family looking over a lake with a bird in the top corner flying...

Bear Lake Convention and Visitors Bureau

8 Fun Activities To Do in Bear Lake Without Getting in the Water

Bear Lake offers plenty of activities for the whole family to enjoy without having to get in the water. Catch 8 of our favorite activities.

Wellsville Mountains in the spring with a pond in the foreground...

Wasatch Property Management

Advantages of Renting Over Owning a Home

Renting allows you to enjoy luxury amenities and low maintenance without the long-term commitment and responsibilities of owning a home.

Clouds over a red rock vista in Hurricane, Utah...

Wasatch Property Management

Why Southern Utah is a Retirement Paradise

Retirement in southern Utah offers plenty of cultural and recreational opportunities. Find out all that this region has to offer.

Are the Covid-19 vaccines safe?