The first two vaccines have been approved for several months now, and the U.S. recently approved a third vaccine from Johnson & Johnson. Students are wondering what that means for them.

Fairfax County residents 16 and up with specific health issues can now register to receive the vaccine, but currently kids under the age of 16 are not eligible to get vaccinated because the study and research did not include this group. Some students are ready to be vaccinated.

“I’m excited about it and it’s a positive thing that’s going to help a lot of people,” West Po Senior Annabella Mason, stated. According to Mason, she has no concerns related to the COVID-19 vaccine and she trusts the science. Mason states that she knows people who have received the vaccine and feel fine. Mason has hopes that some students will receive the vaccine soon. She is on the list to be vaccinated.

Many adults have already had the vaccine, including Stephanie Buchanan of Alexandria. Buchanan received the first dose of the Moderna Vaccine on December 24th and received her second dose 4 weeks later at the end of January 2021. She was able to get the vaccine because she is a healthcare worker in a high case area. She is currently a mental health care professional with the City of Alexandria Government.

She stated that some of her coworkers were not open to getting the vaccine, but when other staff members shared their experiences, other staff members began to get the vaccine.

Buchanan said the vaccine felt like a pinch or like the flu shot and, overall, they didn’t have any major side effects and reported being happy and relieved. In the United States a total of 21.4% have had their first COVID vaccines, not many people have had their second dose. About  12.1% have received both doses in Virginia, and in Maryland only 11.8% of people have received their second dose as of today reported by the Washington Post. https://www.washingtonpost.com/graphics/2020/health/covid-vaccine-states-distribution-doses/