After many years of research and development, vaccines go through a long process to become licensed. Once they are, they undergo continual monitoring to ensure that they remain safe and effective. This is called post-licensure monitoring. This process is done by governments and independent groups. Vaccines are held to very high safety standards and are only recommended if the benefits outweigh the risks.
This month, vaccine availability continued to expand with more states offering broader eligibility. Kansas, Louisiana, North Dakota, and Ohio all announced that adults 65 and older were now eligible for a vaccine. California expanded eligibility to people over age 65 as well. Meanwhile, a public health crisis unfolded in Los Angeles County as confused and frustrated residents bombarded phone lines and websites trying to schedule appointments for the vaccine.
During the last few weeks, the vaccine was also reformulated to better prevent blood clots. This change should lead to a faster and more stable supply of the vaccine. The new formula is expected to be available within weeks and will include both the mRNA vaccines from Pfizer/BioNTech and Moderna, as well as the more traditional protein-based vaccine from Novartis (Novavax).
Efforts have been made to encourage vaccination by private businesses and civic entities, such as ridesharing companies offering free transportation and discount offers to those who show proof of a vaccine. Despite the efforts, some parents are still hesitant to have their children vaccinated. The issue is complicated by the fact that parents often seek out information on the internet and sometimes encounter misinformation or inaccurate or incomplete information. Parents should be aware of the issues with online vaccine information and learn to evaluate online resources to help them make informed decisions about their family’s health.
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