Pfizer’s two-shot, Moderna’s one-shot coronavirus vaccines have reached more than a million Americans so far. Everyone from political pundits to economists to doctors have an opinion on the long-term effects.
Summary
Right before Christmas, the Centers for Disease Control reported a million Americans have now received a coronavirus vaccine with nearly 10 million doses having been shipped.
- Last week, the CDC released guidance recommending health care workers and Americans over the age of 75 be among the first wave of recipients.
- The agency then followed up with an addendum Saturday that Americans with pre-existing medical conditions that could exacerbate coronavirus infection are eligible to receive approved vaccines.
- There is concern over an “information gap” and whether those who will be eligible for the vaccine will learn when it is available for them.
- The Moderna vaccine, which requires only one dose, has been reported to cause some odd side effects with recipients who have had cosmetic procedures on their face, while many outlets reported on a Boston doctor who had a “severe allergic reaction” to the shot.
- Continental Europe started its vaccination program Sunday, though European Union officials warned it will still take months to complete the vaccination program and urged Europeans to maintain caution.
- Some experts are worried about the long-term social side effects of the most successful vaccines being announced and distributed first, and whether Americans will readily embrace less effective, but still approved, vaccines.
- Another concern is how many Americans will follow up with their second dose of the Pfizer vaccine three weeks after the first.
- Economists are predicting a very strong second quarter of 2021 as vaccination becomes more widespread, “unleashing a well of pent-up demand as millions of Americans resume traveling, dining out, moviegoing and other activities.”
- A written symposium in The New York Times frequently emphasizes the racial disparity of the coronavirus’ impact, citing Latino and Black communities whose average age of death is considerably lower than white Americans.
- The Atlantic published an emergency room doctor who argues that even with the vaccine distribution beginning, there are still more new coronavirus cases than there are those getting the vaccine.
- Business Insider reported on an interview Dr. Anthony Fauci gave, citing a range of numbers the official gave that would create “herd immunity”, and that he insists you cannot mandate vaccination for the general public.
- Vox used their typical “explainer” style to back up the FDA’s recommendation to vaccinate front-line health workers firstrather than elderly Americans, and paint critics of that recommendation as “political commentators” who “have no understanding of the topics they’re opining on.”
- Fox News reported on spontaneous comments from Pope Francis, who urged world leaders to prioritize “the most vulnerable and needy” when distributing coronavirus vaccines.
- The Daily Caller seized on Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley’s push to bump prison inmates up the list of priority for vaccinations, citing statistics that suggest they’re responsible for a larger than thought percentage of COVID-19 cases.
- Ramesh Ponnuru wrote in National Review that public officials getting vaccines on TV is not necessary, that there is enough demand for the vaccine already, while Victor Davis Hanson also touches on the political weapon the media has made vaccination in a piece that derides media double-standards.
- The astounding achievement of Operation Warp Speed cannot be understated according to James Meigs, who argues every player in the effort focused on what they did best.
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© Dallas Gerber, 2020
