By Sophie Higby
After nearly a year of self-isolating, mask mandates and social distancing, COVID-19 cases are decreasing as vaccines are finally becoming widely available to the public.
While there has been some hesitancy among the public in whether they will receive the vaccine, the Biden administration is working to provide vaccines for those who want it. Despite some public hesitation in the safety of the COVID-19 vaccines, the CDC has confidence in the safety and effectiveness of the vaccines. On their website, the CDC states, “COVID-19 vaccines are safe and effective. Millions of people in the United States have received COVID-19 vaccines under the most intense safety monitoring in U.S. history.”
Multiple companies have been working endlessly to produce an effective and safe vaccine, but the Johnson and Johnson vaccine, by Janssen Pharmaceutical, has an advantage. Compared to other COVID-19 vaccines, such as Pfizer and Moderna, which require two doses, the Johnson and Johnson vaccine simply needs one.
On March 10, the White House announced that the Biden administration is purchasing an additional 100 million doses of the Johnson and Johnson vaccine.
“I set a goal that many of you said was way over the top. I said I intended to get 100 million shots in people’s arms in my first 100 days in office. Tonight, I can say we are not only going to meet that goal, we’re going to beat that goal because we’re actually on track to reach this goal of 100 million shots in arms on my 60th day in office,” Biden said in his televised address to the nation Thursday evening.
Confident with the decision, Biden stated, “This plan is historic.”
Biden announced that by May 1 all adult Americans will be eligible to receive the Johnson and Johnson vaccine.
Although the original timeline has been moved up by two months, this does not ensure that every American will have been vaccinated by this time.
While some Americans are eager to get the vaccine as soon as possible, others are hesitant.
“I would definitely consider getting it (the vaccine) sooner as it becomes more available,” sophomore Mary Kate McCrudden said. “A part of me still wants to watch how it plays out in people that have gotten it and see the effects of it. I am definitely not in a rush.”
Many Americans feel this way as the Pfizer and Moerna vaccines have been available for several months, allowing Americans to see results. However, the Johnson and Johnson vaccine is newer to the public, causing some hesitation.
While there are concerns for the vaccine, many people are counting down the days until it is available.
“I plan on getting the Johnson and Johnson vaccine. I believe getting the vaccine is one of the most efficient ways to approach ending the pandemic,” sophomore McKenna Varner said.
Biden seemed to suggest a similar perspective.
“This plan puts us on a path to beating the virus,” Biden said in an official Instagram video on the POTUS account.
