COVID-19 vaccines, make them mandatory

By getting the vaccine, everyone can help stop the risk of COVID-19.

Opinion by Anthony Lopez, Staff Writer

Army Spc. Angel Laureano holds a vial of the COVID-19 vaccine at the Walter Reed National Military Medical Center on Dec. 14, 2020. (Photo by Lisa Ferdinando/U.S. Department of Defense)

COVID-19 vaccines should be mandatory, not voluntary in the United States.

The COVID-19 vaccine, aside from wearing a simple face mask and keeping a safe distance, is one of the most effective methods that will help keep someone from contracting the coronavirus.

Vaccines, in general, introduce a less harmful part of that germ — something created to look or imitate it — into a person’s body. The body’s immune system creates antibodies that fight that specific germ and help keep the person from getting sick from it. Later, if the person encounters that germ again, their immune system can “recognize ” and “remember” how to fight it off. Today, the administration of the COVID-19 vaccine is more of a voluntary, rather than a mandatory, decision.

More than 90 million doses have been administered, reaching 17.7 percent of the total U.S. population, according to NPR. The U.S. is currently administering over 2.2 million shots a day.

Although it is very encouraging to see a positive amount of people getting vaccinated, many Americans are skeptical when it comes to getting the vaccine.

New research shows that the racial group who refuses to obtain the vaccine are those located in wealthy, white areas. Scientific American states, “Black respondents and 37 percent of Hispanic respondents in the AP-NORC poll saying they would commit to getting the vaccine whenever it is available. Considering that Black, Hispanic and Indigenous communities are at the highest risk of infection and are overrepresented in COVID-19 deaths, this result may look like a curious discrepancy.”

Another reason why one should receive the vaccine is because the virus has a significant impact on the elderly. According to Stat News, “COVID-19 kills an estimated 13.4 percent of patients 80 and older, compared to 1.25 percent of those in their 50s and 0.3 percent of those in their 40s dying.”

Many people are stubborn and selfish, oftentimes they do not take into consideration that their choices might help someone in need. Once a person realize that the vaccine is not only important for their health, instead for others, this can minimize the risk of a person (specifically the elderly) from getting COVID-19.

In a recent AP news article, it states that, “Fully vaccinated Americans can gather with other vaccinated people indoors without wearing a mask or social distancing, according to long-awaited guidance from federal health officials.”

When it comes to the vaccines, there are two types available: Pfizer and Moderna. These two vaccines have proven to be effective when it comes to preventing the coronavirus. According to Hopkins Medicine, “Both Pfizer and Moderna report that their vaccines show approximately 95 percent efficacy at preventing both mild and severe symptoms of COVID-19. This level of efficacy appears to apply across age groups, racial and ethnic groups, and both sexes, as reported in the Pfizer trial.”

The side effects that come along with the vaccine include: a sore or red arm, fever, chills, muscle aches, headache and tiredness, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

With certain aspects of life such as theme parks, restaurants and even movie theaters reopening, it is very crucial for the public to be vaccinated, as this would allow everyone to enjoy fun places that shut down as a result of the pandemic.

At the end of the day, people need to make it a priority to get vaccinated. By doing this, it helps not only one person, but others to reduce the risk of COVID-19.