• POC Events
  • Things To Do
  • Family Friendly Businesses & Services
  • Top Teachers
  • The Little Red Schoolhouse
  • School News

Parenting OC

  • Get an Issue
    • Latest Issue
    • Distribution outlets
  • About us
    • About the magazine
    • Contact us
    • The Press Room
  • Advertise
    • Readers’ Choice Advertising
  • Digital Archives
  • Contests
  • Coronavirus Articles
You are here: Home / Ask the Experts / What to Know About the COVID-19 Vaccines

What to Know About the COVID-19 Vaccines

December 9, 2020 Leave a Comment

COVID Vaccine Ask the Experts

I’m a little nervous about the new vaccines. Are they safe? 

All ages

Many of my patients ask me if I think there are any risks to taking a COVID-19 vaccine that has been developed so quickly? And my response to them is that I will be the first in line to take a vaccine as soon as it becomes available. 

The vaccines have been tested for safety and efficacy, just as they would in a longer process. One of the reasons these vaccines are able to move through the clinical trial process so quickly is due to increased government funding. This has helped researchers proceed with multiple steps in the drug development and testing process at the same time, rather than slowly over time.

The current vaccines that have made headlines have been shown to be more than 90 percent effective in protecting against COVID-19. The significance of this rate of effectiveness can’t be overstated. The novel coronavirus is twice as contagious as influenza, the virus that causes the flu. For the flu vaccine to protect the population, it needs to be 30-40 percent effective. For a coronavirus vaccine to stamp out an outbreak, it only needs to be 50-60 percent effective. So, a vaccine that is greater than 90 percent effective is incredibly promising. 

The vaccine will be rolled out in four phases, based on guidelines from the National Institutes of Health.

The first phase includes high-risk health workers and first responders. People of all ages with underlying conditions that put them at significantly higher risk, and older adults living in group settings will also be part of the first phase.

Phase two includes K-12 teachers and school staff, as well as child care workers. Critical workers in high-risk settings, particularly those who are in industries essential to the functioning of society, are included in this phase. People of all ages with underlying conditions that put them at moderately higher risk, and older people who were not part of phase one will also be included in this group — as will people who are living in group homes for people with disabilities, the homeless and people who are incarcerated. 

During phase three, vaccines will become available to young adults, children and workers in industries and occupations important to the functioning of society who are at increased risk. 

Phase four, which might come as early as late spring, early summer, includes everyone else who did not have access to the vaccine in the earlier phases.

My hope is that if enough people get the vaccine, we could put an end to this pandemic. In the meantime, please continue to wear a mask, wash your hands and maintain social distance to help keep you, your family, friends and community safe. 


COVID Vaccine Ask the Experts

Philip Robinson, M.D., is the medical director of Infection Prevention at Hoag Memorial Hospital Presbyterian and has been specializing in the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of infectious diseases for more than 30 years.

(Opening Photo Courtesy of CDC/Unsplash)

Filed Under: Ask the Experts, Coronavirus

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Parenting OC March 2021 - Web
Read our March 2021 Digital Issue!

Socialize with Parenting OC

Search Parenting OC

Mailing List Sign Up Button Stay up to date on current events, hot topics, contests and giveaways by signing up for Parenting OC's mailing list.

Browse by category

Feedburner Sign Up Button Subscribe to Parenting OC email service.

Parenting OC Tweets

  • How educators and parents can help students — and themselves — emotionally cope with pandemic and socio-political s… https://t.co/GUkL3DWZUe February 27, 2021 3:16 am
  • Making the best of the 2020 season, local camps now look ahead to continue offering kids much-needed socialization… https://t.co/R6g9VxGCU8 February 26, 2021 1:22 am
  • Catch your kid In the Moment? Send us your photos to be considered for possible inclusion in that section of the ma… https://t.co/ldn3V77NEG February 13, 2021 2:34 am
  • Follow Parenting OC on Twitter!

Recent Articles

  • Family Snapshots – March 2021
  • Honoring Heroes – From the Editor
  • Cool to Be Kind
  • Interpersonal Mindful Parenting
  • Saving through Financial Aid
© 2021 Tierney Publishing · Contact · Advertise