SYRACUSE, N.Y. (NCC News) – More than three months after the first American got their first COVID-19 vaccine shot, the vaccine rollout continues in Onondaga County and the United States. The rate at which Americans are being vaccinated is also increasing daily. According to the CDC, vaccines will help to prevent serious illness caused by COVID-19, but estimations of how long COVID-19 vaccines provide immunity are still being determined and researched.
According to the Indy Star and Lana Dbeibo, director of vaccine initiatives at Indiana University, COVID-19 vaccines are expected to provide immunity for a minimum of three to four months. That estimation comes from Pfizer, Moderna and Johnson & Johnson vaccine trials in which trial participants were followed and observed for three to four months.
However, according to the CDC, there are no specific guidelines for the minimum or maximum amount of time a COVID-19 vaccine will last, nor accurate estimations to this point on the maximum amount of time the vaccine will be effective.
Especially because the length of effectiveness is still unknown, experts continue to urge people to continue wearing masks and social distancing.
As for the Central New York area, Onondaga County Executive Ryan McMahon said the best thing the county can do is to give the vaccine to as many people as possible.
“We will never waste a shot in our pod,” McMahon said. “If we found a 25-year-old healthy person walking down the street, they’re getting it. That is what it is. I’m not going to bend on that. We won’t waste one.”
McMahon has also urged the state government to open up eligibility to people 50 years old or above and agriculture workers. Eligibility is expanding Wednesday to public-facing government and public employees, as well as essential in-person, public-facing building service workers.
Research is ongoing regarding the full effectiveness of COVID-19 vaccines in addition to how long vaccines are effective.
