Vaccine Development

Vaccines go through several steps in the development process. These include identifying a potential target on the virus, safety testing, manufacture, and approval. Vaccines are also monitored for safety after they released to the public. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) oversees the safety, effectiveness, and quality of vaccines that are used in the United States....READ MORE

Although COVID-19 arose and spread incredibly quickly, scientists have been studying this type of virus and how to prevent it for many years. So, when the COVID-19 pandemic hit, vaccines could be created very rapidly without compromising  safety or quality measures. COVID-19 vaccines went through all the normal testing that other vaccines go through, just at a faster pace. They were...READ MORE

COVID-19 vaccines are safe and effective. All of the COVID-19 vaccines offered in the US have gone through all the normal testing that other vaccines go through, just at a faster pace. They were developed using well-established scientific methods and meet the FDA’s rigorous safety, effectiveness, and quality standards. They were tested by tens of thousands of people consenting to...READ MORE

ANAI peoples were included in clinical trials of the COVID-19 vaccine developed by Pfizer. But not at the same level as other Americans. In general, about 0.6% of Pfizer clinical trial participants were ANAI peoples, or around half the rate of overall population of ANAI people in the United States, which is 1.3%....READ MORE

Three Alaska Native Elders share their stories on how the pandemic has impacted their families and communities as well as share their experience with the COVID-19 vaccine....READ MORE

The COVID-19 vaccines from Pfizer/BioNTech and Moderna were created with a method that has been in development for years, so the companies could start the vaccine development process early in the pandemic. The vaccine developers didn’t skip any testing steps when making the vaccine. Studies found that these two vaccines are both about 95% effective, and reported no serious or...READ MORE

Anxiety related to COVID-19 vaccines is common due to uncertainties surrounding their development and potential side effects. However, it is important to explain that safety measures were not compromised, multiple vaccine options were explored simultaneously, and the vaccines underwent rigorous safety and efficacy testing. Remind them that temporary side effects, like those of the flu shot, may occur but indicate...READ MORE