BY SINDY SALMERON
CYPRESS CHRONICLE STAFF WRITER
Gov. Gavin Newson announced that individuals age 50 and older will be eligible for the COVID -19 vaccines by April 1 and anyone 16 and older will be able to get them on April 15, the announcement was made during an 11 a.m press conference on March 25.
But as California prepares to expand the availability of the COVID-19 vaccine, public concern about the side effects and resistance still remains, which could be a roadblock in the path to achieving herd immunity.
According to Los Angeles Times a poll released by the Public Policy Institute of California on March 30, 2021, found that 26% of registered Republicans said they will definitely not get vaccinate, and about 29% of Black Californians said they would probably or definitely refuse the vaccine, while among Latinos 22% are hesitant to get it.
Locally students reacted to the news from Gov. Gavin Newson, some students seem worried about the side effects of the COVID-19 vaccines Raymond Dinh, a student at Cypress College said via email that he is willing to get the COVID-19 vaccine.
“I believe that everyone should be able to have access to the vaccines as soon as they can, this virus is something that has been detrimental to our economy, as well as to the public health of our society,” said Dihn
Dinh also said that he doesn’t have any concerns regarding the COVID-19 vaccines because he doesn’t have any allergies but he acknowledges that “ it’s common that most people who do receive the vaccine will have to endure a cold and sore arm” which is something he said he is “not looking forward to.”
But he is still willing to get the COVID-19 vaccine to protect himself, his friends, and his family, “Taking the vaccine will effectively protect my immune system if I were to be exposed to the virus, and that type of protection is crucial to my health and the health of others as well.” said Dinh
Roxann Morales, a student majoring in mortuary science said that she is also willing to get the COVID-19 vaccine but she is concerned about the side effects and if there are any long-term effects.
“I am scared because of the Johson& Johson one, people have gotten fever, things like that afterward, but I definitely feel like we need to get it, It’s been a year something needs to change, “ said Morales.
Regarding if Colleges should require students to get the Covid-19 vaccines Morales said “I don’t think they should force anybody.”
“ Everybody is from different walks of life, they have different experiences and they have different pain tolerances,” said Morales.
Dinh said, “the easy answer would be yes however black and indigenous women tend to be excluded from medical studies, including vaccine trials.”
”So if they are skeptical of the vaccine’s effects on their body, I understand it and I think it’s totally valid, especially given the statistics of how they are often mistreated or under-treated by doctors,” said Dinh.
On their website, the Center for Disease Control and Prevention said that the Pfizer/Biotech, Moderna and Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccines are safe and effective.
“Covid-19 vaccines were evaluated in tens of thousands of participants in clinical trials, The vaccines met FDA’s rigorous scientific standard for safety, effectiveness and manufacturing quality needed to support emergency use authorization.” stated the CDC in their website.
They also said that side effects like swelling, redness, and pain at the injection site, fever, headache, tiredness, muscle pain, Chills, and nausea are common reactions to the vaccines.
The CDC also recommends individuals to get a COVID-19 vaccine as soon as they are eligible and to follow the CDC recommendations on wearing masks and social distancing.
“Wearing masks and social distancing help reduce your chance of being exposed to the virus or spreading it to others, but these measures are not enough. Vaccines will work with your immune system so it will be ready to fight the virus if you are exposed” stated the CDC on their website.
