A choice of three American-approved vaccines confronts us, with Chinese and Russian ones in the wings. So the question arises, which one do you take? Accept the vaccine on offer, Dr. Fauci told Reuters on February 28, 2021, urging Americans to accept what’s available.
Johnson & Johnson, Pfizer/BioNTech and Moderna Are Good
‘All three of them are really quite good,’ the top U.S. infectious disease official confirmed. ‘If you go to a place and you have J&J, and that’s the one available now, I would take it.’ Fauci went on to emphasize people should take the one offered on NBC’s ‘Meet the Press’.
The Johnson & Johnson alternative has, for all-intents-and-purposes, passed all U.S. hurdles. This means it is safe and effective to use. However, comparing it directly with Moderna and Pfizer/BioNTech is difficult for two reasons:
1… Scientists set up the trials with different objectives in mind
2… Johnson & Johnson tested after more contagious variants emerged
Thus, we can’t objectively argue that one vaccine is better than the other.
Therefore We Should Accept the Vaccine of Offer
Having three vaccines available helps U.S. Government achieve its goal of reaching as many people as soon as possible. When we accept the vaccine on offer, we help our nation reach collective immunity sooner.
However, and this is critically important all three vaccines only suppress the severity of symptoms until they pass. We should be able to go about our business, but that includes carrying the virus until our immunity destroys it.
Therefore, we should continue taking the precautions we know so well by now. That’s because it’s important to remember some 10% of us could still fall ill after vaccination. And being in intensive care is not a walk in the park.
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Preview Image: A Walk in Central Park