The first Covid-19 vaccine was given in December 2020. Entering 2021, there have been more vaccines given. The guidelines as to who should be receiving the vaccine first, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, are; 1a healthcare personnel and long-term care facility residents, 1b includes frontline essential workers (like firefighters, police officers, food and agricultural workers, teachers) and people ages 75 years and older, and 1c is the category for other essential workers (such as people who work in food service, housing and construction, media, and public safety). People ages 65 through 74 are also in the 1c category, along with ages 16 to 64 with underlying medical conditions.

Many people are hesitant on whether they should receive the Covid-19 vaccine. If this is you, here are a few things to keep in mind from Dr. Renee Sayer, Family Nurse Practitioner for the Schuyler Clinic and new Schuyler Community School Board member. Dr. Sayer explained that the vaccine is very safe. Dr. Sayer also stated that the technology being used has been used for about a decade and is much safer than other vaccines used for childhood viral and bacterial diseases. The vaccine being used in Colfax county is the Moderna vaccine. The Moderna vaccine is administered in 28 day intervals. This means 28 days after the first vaccine it is safe for you to receive your second dose. The person has to stay for 15-30 minutes after receiving the vaccine. The vaccine is also safe to a person who has health problems. If given the chance to receive the vaccine, it is important to remember the vaccine is not required. “The vaccine is for a protein on the virus. A person is not receiving any virus that can cause them to become ill” Dr. Sayer explains. 

When asked if Dr. Sayer recommends for school staff to receive the vaccine she said “School staff are vulnerable as most schools are not a secure environment to prevent disease spread.” Some examples of how diseases can be easily spread in a school environment include the hallways being overcrowded, people not wearing their mask correctly, not social distancing, and the air ventilation not made to prevent disease spreading. Students are not able to get vaccinated until there have been more studies done.

The vaccines that are in Schuyler have to stay on the hospital premises. There is a shortage of vaccines. In the near future local health departments will be working with hospitals and clinics for administering vaccines once they are more readily available. If you are interested in receiving the Covid-19 vaccine you could contact your doctor to see whether you can receive it.