COVID-19 Team Update: Follow-up on All-Staff Meeting

Thank you for participating in last week’s Virtual All-Staff Meeting on the science and basics of COVID-19 vaccines with Rich Wright, Elliot Gruber, Dr. Anne McDonough, and Eileen Hartigan. More than 1,600 of you joined us live. If you were unable to view the live discussion, or you would like to watch it again, you may view the recorded webcast on the COVID-19 website.

Since then, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has granted emergency use authorization for the Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine for individuals 18 years of age and older, making it the third available vaccine. The new vaccine, which requires only a single dose and is easy to store and transport, should greatly expand access nationally. This news represents a significant step forward in our recovery efforts.

Like the Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna vaccines, the Johnson & Johnson vaccine was subject to the FDA’s rigorous standards for safety, effectiveness, and manufacturing quality. Medical experts consider all three vaccines highly effective and safe. According to the CDC, studies also suggest that antibodies generated through vaccination recognize COVID-19 variants. It is unlikely that we will have the option to select which vaccine we receive, but rest assured, all three FDA-approved vaccines are excellent at protecting people who are exposed to the virus.

Please visit your state and local health department websites regularly to see if you qualify for vaccination based on your age, health, or occupation. For your reference, we have posted this list of state resources. If you are unsure if you qualify for vaccination, please reach out to your local health department directly for guidance.

When you receive a vaccination, please send documentation to Occupational Health Service’s (OHS) dedicated email address at OHS-MedicalReview@si.edu. This information will help OHS understand the needs of our community. As always, your medical information will be kept private.

Choosing to be vaccinated is a personal and private decision. If you have concerns about vaccination, your primary care manager can provide counsel based on your individual circumstances. While vaccination is not required, we encourage anyone able to be vaccinated to get vaccinated.

Thank you again for your thoughtful questions about the vaccines. We received far more questions than our panelists could respond to during the meeting, and we will do our best to address these over the coming weeks. In the meantime, we have added a new section on vaccines to the FAQ page of the COVID-19 website. Please visit regularly to make sure you have the latest information.

Stay safe and be well, COVID-19 Response Team

Related posts:

ICYMI: Highlights from the week of October 25 – 29, 2021 The History of Violent Attacks on the U.S. Capitol Remembering Michael Collins The past, present and FUTURES Collide