CCNY Members Remain Divided on the COVID-19 Vaccine
Words by Kazi Maisha
Graphics by Aspasia Celia Tsampas
As a healthcare worker, I received the first dose of the Moderna vaccine against COVID-19 on January 12, 2021. I was very scared about receiving the vaccine because it developed relatively rapidly, so I took the time to learn about the vaccine myself. Here’s what I learned:
● All COVID-19 vaccines are mRNA vaccines. mRNA provides instructions for our cells to create cellular products that trigger an immune response in our bodies. This immune response is what allows us to be protected from becoming severely ill if the real virus enters our body.
● Vaccines have been developed by Pfizer and its partner, Biotech, and Moderna. In order to receive the Pfizer vaccine, you must be at least sixteen years old. To receive the Moderna vaccine, you must be at least eighteen years old.
● The Pfizer vaccine was 95% effective at preventing COVID infection (measured starting from seven days after the second dose was administered). The Moderna vaccine was 94.1% effective at preventing COVID (measured starting from fourteen days after the second dose).
● Both require two doses, separated by 21 days. The most common side effects include headaches and fatigue. The most severe side effects are allergic reactions, and thus, people who have allergic reactions to ingredients in the vaccine are often advised not to receive the injection.
After learning all this, I felt much more at ease in taking the vaccine. Right now, the vaccine is becoming available to more groups of people, including seniors and school staff. However, many people remain apprehensive about the vaccine, and this has been seen among community members of The City College of New York (CCNY) in the past.
COVID-19 Vaccine Survey
113 CCNY members, including students and faculty, were surveyed and interviewed on whether they would take the vaccine as soon as it comes out and why or why not they would take the vaccine readily. Results were collected until November 24, 2020, prior to the vaccine being readily released. When CCNY members were explicitly asked “Will you be willing to get the COVID-19 vaccine as soon as it comes out?”, 86 said no while 27 said yes. The following pie chart further depicts how the majority of surveyed CCNY members are not willing to take the vaccine as soon as it is available:
And here is a more in-depth analysis of the survey responses:
Why are CCNY members willing to take the vaccine readily?
“Just want to get a normal life, where we can go outside without any fear and without carrying mask”
“I’m tired of this pandemic & would like normalcy back as soon as possible.”
People trust the science and the testing processes behind the vaccine. They believe taking the vaccine is a good way for them to limit COVID-19 spread.
“The vaccine has undergone a rigorous testing process by the FDA. I want to protect people around me who are at an increased risk of getting COVID.”
“I want to protect myself and my colleagues, and the vaccines so far appear to be highly effective and safe!”
“I'll keep a close eye on the clinical trial results and updates, but I believe in the system we have in place for testing.”
“I want to do my part in limiting the spread of covid-19 for the health and wellness of myself and others.”
Why are CCNY members hesitant in taking the vaccine?
Although a few people in this sample trust the vaccine, most surveyed CCNY students do not want to take the vaccine as soon as it comes out because of their distrust.
“This is the first time I feel so insecure to take a vaccine because of the way the whole COVID situation was handled. I want to be sure this vaccine is safe and wasn’t rushed.”
“The process has been too fast and these companies producing them don’t have the cleanest history of production. Some companies in order to maximize production are doing more than one phase simultaneously which is not effective to me.”
“I had COVID-19 back in March/April so I am confident that if I had it again, I would survive it. Thankfully since I am young, I can make my own decision about getting the vaccine.”
Some people feel that the vaccine’s development has been politicized.
“I don’t trust it will be safe for us to take it and I am worried that politics is involved in the process.”
“This is because I still have my doubts on whether the vaccine is successful regardless if the officials say otherwise. I do feel like politics have something to do with making a vaccine just to make one to gain the support of the people but not caring whether the vaccine is successful or not.”
People feel that private companies rapidly produced the vaccine mainly for their own profit and not for the sake of our health.
“I don’t trust the fact that private companies made safe vaccines so quickly.”
Some people simply don’t trust or like the idea of vaccines.
“I generally do not trust vaccines and do not want to cause any harm to myself.”
Overall, there is a substantial lack of trust in the American healthcare system by CCNY members. The people who have stated that they would not take the vaccine right away mainly want to wait until more side effects are disclosed to the public and more politicians and celebrities take it. There is a general consensus among this group of people that healthcare professionals are not the most transparent to the public and that the general public are sometimes used as guinea pigs for medical developments, such as this vaccine.
However, it is clear that every single participant can agree on the fact that they’re tired of the pandemic. And so, let’s keep social distancing, wearing our masks, and staying safe.
