COVID Vaccines: Your Questions Answered
LEXINGTON, Ky. (March 8, 2021) – More than 700,000 people across Kentucky are fully vaccinated against COVID-19, after receiving both doses of the Pfizer or Moderna vaccines. The number continues to grow each day, especially as the rollout of the single-dose Johnson & Johnson vaccine began last week.
At UK HealthCare, hundreds of medical, professional and volunteer personnel are part of the collective effort making this possible.
The COVID-19 vaccines were created faster than any other in history. While it may seem that the process was rushed, Brooke Hudspeth, Pharm.D., associate professor, UK College of Pharmacy’s Department of Pharmacy Practice and Science, said the technology to develop the vaccines has been around for many years. Still, questions and uncertainty surrounding their safety and efficacy remain.
Hudspeth is a medication expert with a background in leading pharmacy immunization efforts. She practiced in community pharmacy and worked with Kroger Health before joining UK faculty.
“Every step, especially considering safety and efficacy was followed in the creation of the Moderna, Pfizer and Johnson & Johnson vaccines,” Hudspeth said. “If you have the opportunity to receive a COVID-19 vaccine, I recommend you take it.”
Hudspeth is breaking down the most common questions surrounding COVID-19 vaccines. For more information about resources available, check out the UK College of Pharmacy’s guide to understanding COVID-19 vaccines.
Remember, while a vaccine is intended to boost immune response, you cannot automatically consider yourself “safe” just because you are vaccinated. Vaccines do not always prevent you from getting infected. Rather, they lessen the severity of the infection by helping your immune system respond. You can still get infected, and you may still transmit disease. It is important to continue wearing a mask and practicing social distancing.
As the state’s flagship, land-grant institution, the University of Kentucky exists to advance the Commonwealth. We do that by preparing the next generation of leaders — placing students at the heart of everything we do — and transforming the lives of Kentuckians through education, research and creative work, service and health care. We pride ourselves on being a catalyst for breakthroughs and a force for healing, a place where ingenuity unfolds. It's all made possible by our people — visionaries, disruptors and pioneers — who make up 200 academic programs, a $476.5 million research and development enterprise and a world-class medical center, all on one campus.
In 2022, UK was ranked by Forbes as one of the “Best Employers for New Grads” and named a “Diversity Champion” by INSIGHT into Diversity, a testament to our commitment to advance Kentucky and create a community of belonging for everyone. While our mission looks different in many ways than it did in 1865, the vision of service to our Commonwealth and the world remains the same. We are the University for Kentucky.