How long will the COVID-19 vaccine protect you? – Chron

With COVID-19 vaccine being distributed to 21 Houston-area hospitals this week, medical professionals who have battled COVID-19 on the frontlines for nearly a year are finally receiving inoculations.

Houston's Memorial Hermann Infectious Disease Specialist Dr. Linda Yancey was one of the first local healthcare providers to receive the vaccine. Chron spoke to Dr. Yancey about her experience and what to expect from the new vaccine.

Yancey: My arm is sore, but other than that, I've experienced no fever or headaches. Just a sore arm. When I drove back from the hospital, it kind of hit me. I hadn't contracted COVID-19 yet. I had spent these past nine months watching my friends and colleagues get sick one by one. A few colleagues had to be hospitalized and one of them died. Every time I had a cough or a sneeze, 'I would think--is this it? Have I got it?' Then, it hit me that I didn't have to worry about that anymore.

VACCINES IN TEXAS: COVID-19 expert: "Take the first FDA-approved vaccine offered"

No, not at all. I realize that this is a new vaccine, and folks are a little wary. I'm very comfortable with the safety and the effectiveness of this vaccine. I'm expecting with the second one, with the booster, I may have side effects. But again, these would be relatively mild.

It's been a long, hard slog not knowing when the end was in sight. Every time we had another surge, we had more patients, more in the ICU. But now we have a new vaccine. Now there's a light at the end of the tunnel. The tunnel will still be long. This will be a long, hard winter for us. It will take time to get everyone vaccinated.

What I can tell you is that the first people to get the new vaccine back in March in the initial safety trial are still protected. So, a minimum of nine months, fingers crossed, three to four years. That would consistent with the animal data we have on other coronavirus vaccines. I realize that three to four years doesn't sound very long, but in the middle of the pandemic, it feels like an eternity.

It's safe, it's effective. One of the reasons why I wanted to be one of the first to get this, is that I wanted to lead by example. To show my nurses, colleagues that I'm not asking them to do anything that I wouldn't do myself. This is a scarce resource. It is ok if you have concerns to wait a month. I would rather people have confidence in this vaccine.

I just can't wait. I have four kids and a husband. I want them protected as soon as possible with this new vaccine. I want my parents protected. If I could give everyone in the country a dose of this vaccine today, I would.

Go here to read the rest:

How long will the COVID-19 vaccine protect you? - Chron