COVID-19 vaccine arrives; San Jose mom in trial tells what it feels like – San Jos Spotlight

Carolyn Bauer said she wasnt afraid when she decided to take part in a COVID-19 vaccine trial earlier this year. In fact, she thought it was just common sense.

Im a very healthy individual, and someone has to do this, Bauer said. To me, I didnt realize how big a deal some people thought that was.

I was like, Is there still room for me?'

Bauer, 55,has been encouraging friends, family and colleagues to get the vaccine when they get the chance.

I would have opted the whole family into the trial if i could have, said Bauer, a Transportation Security Administration agent at San Jose International Airport.The more participants they have, the better data theyre going to get. I wanted to do whatever I could.

Bauer is one of some 44,000 people worldwideparticipatingin the phase 3 trial for the vaccine developed by biotech companiesPfizer and BioNTech. The early research has indicated the vaccine is about 95% effective in protecting people from contracting COVID-19.

Although the trial is still ongoing, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine for emergency use Dec. 11.Santa Clara County received its first 5,850 dosesDec. 15, part of the initial 17,550 doses stateofficials allocated to the county.

Dr. Marty Fenstersheib, COVID-19 testing officer for Santa Clara County, said the county will receive all of its first round of Pfizer doses by the end of this week. Those doses willgo to acute care facilitiesand skilled nursing staff and residents.

There are about 75,000 acute care hospital workers in Santa Clara County, so with this first round of vaccines doses, only 10% to 12% of these workers will get vaccinated. Health officials expect the general public wont have access to COVID-19 vaccines for several months.

State and federal officials are alreadyworking on setting priorities for the order in which people will get the coronavirus vaccines; county health officials plan tofollow those guidelines.County officialsexpect to soon receive additional information from the state about the next shipments of vaccines coming into the county, but did not provide a timeline. Theyll also soon receive and share information about future distribution and requirements.

Do this for everyone

When she enrolled in the trial, Bauer received a 22-page packet full of information about the vaccine, along with numerous consent forms and a copy of the human-research bill of rights. Under the terms of the trial, she had the freedom to decide on her own whether to take part in it at all, is allowed to drop out at any point for any reason, and is entitled to have answered any questions she hasabout her treatment.

Along with agreeing to take two doses of the vaccine, all research subjects agreed to fill out a survey at the end of every week that asks whether theyve had any symptoms of COVID-19. As part of her participation in the trial, Bauer received $119 initially and is paid $5 per week eachtime she fills out the survey.But she didnt do it for the money.

I didnt think it was a big deal, I didnt know they even pay you anything, Bauer said. If youre a healthy person you should do this for everyone.

Researchers plan to monitor studyparticipants for more than two years after their initial dose.

After Bauer joined the trial, she learned that researchers were looking for teenagers to participate also. So, she encouraged herdaughter, Savannah Bauer, to take part too. At first, Savannah, who just turned 17 this month, didnt want to do it.She wasnt excited about the prospect of having toendureseveral uncomfortable nasal-swab COVID-19 tests.

After going through the initial screening, however, Savannah changed her mind.

Im happy that I got to be part of this study, because I know that the information theyre getting (from my participation) it could help other people, Savannah Bauer said. Just taking the vaccine, even if I wasnt getting paid theres this whole global pandemic and this could be something to help it go away and get back to normal.

It was like a bruise

Both Carolyn and Savannah both felt somemild soreness in theirarms where they received theirinjections. But that was the extent of their symptoms.

It was like a bruise. It didnt hurt unless someone touched it, Carolyn Bauer said It hurt (for) like three days for that area.

Currently, the Pfizer vaccine requires a follow-up shot about 21 days after the first dose. An alternate vaccine developed byModerna likewise requires two doses, with the second recommended to be givenabout 28 days after the first.The FDA is expected to approve Modernas vaccine for emergency useas soonas the end of thisweek.

Butpeople shouldnt let down their guards just because the vaccines have started to arrive, Fenstersheib warned.

Testing remains essential in stopping the spread of the virus, Fenstersheib said. We continue to urge essential workers to get tested at least monthly its the only way to determine if someone is infected.

And everyone still needs to wear masks, maintainsocially distancingand refrain from gathering with people outside their households, he said.

We are hoping these vaccines will eventually spell the end of this pandemic, Fenstersheib said. Lets all stay safe and be patient, however, while we wait to receive the vaccine.

Carolyn Bauer had some advice for people who might be nervous about getting the vaccine.

If anything, you should be getting it for everyone else, Bauer said. Theres no reason if youre healthy that you should not get this.

Contact Madelyn Reese at [emailprotected] and follow her @MadelynGReese.

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COVID-19 vaccine arrives; San Jose mom in trial tells what it feels like - San Jos Spotlight